China’s Rationalization Over Taiwan

Beijing and Taipei have escalated their war of words over Taiwan’s status, with China asserting that Taiwan is an inseparable part of its territory, negating any notion of “invasion” (Reuters, 2025). The dispute, rooted in competing historical narratives, intensified after Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te’s speeches, titled “Uniting the Country,” declared Taiwan a sovereign nation with a distinct 113-year history as the Republic of China (ROC), founded in 1911 (Reuters, 2025). Lai, labeled a “separatist” by Beijing, argued that China’s People’s Republic of China (PRC), established in 1949, lacks legal or historical grounds to claim Taiwan, emphasizing that Taiwan’s future rests with its people (Reuters, 2025).

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi condemned Lai’s push for independence as “very dangerous,” citing the 1943 Cairo Declaration and 1945 Potsdam Declaration, which designated Taiwan’s return to China after Japanese rule (1895–1945) (Reuters, 2025). Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, warned of “resolute countermeasures” against Lai’s “independence provocations,” reinforcing Beijing’s stance that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one China (Reuters, 2025). Taiwan’s Defense Minister Wellington Koo countered, accusing Beijing of distorting history, particularly the ROC’s role in World War II’s victory, amid China’s invitation to ROC veterans for a Beijing parade (Reuters, 2025).

Tensions are heightened by China’s frequent military exercises, including April 2025 war games near Taiwan, stoking fears of conflict (Reuters, 2025). The ideological divide, with Taiwan asserting self-determination and China claiming historical unity, shows no signs of resolution.

Analysis of China’s Claims:

China’s claims hinge on the Cairo and Potsdam Declarations, which are non-binding and lack explicit legal transfer of Taiwan’s sovereignty (Hsiao, 2021). The 1952 Treaty of Taipei, affirming the ROC’s control, complicates Beijing’s narrative, as does Taiwan’s democratic self-governance since 1949. China’s historical assertions, while rooted in wartime agreements, are contested by Taiwan’s distinct political evolution and international ambiguity, rendering their validity legally and historically debatable.

Reference:
Reuters. (2025, June 25). China, Taiwan clash over history. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-taiwan-clash-over-history-beijing-says-cant-invade-what-is-already-chinese-2025-06-25/
Hsiao, R. (2021). Taiwan’s sovereignty and the legacy of the Cairo Declaration. Journal of East Asian Studies, 21(3), 345–362.