• China expresses "zero tolerance" towards Taiwan's independence under President Lai Ching-te.
• Lai asserts Taiwan is a sovereign nation and disputes historical claims by China.
• Increased military tensions include daily operations and exercises by the Chinese military around Taiwan.

China and Taiwan are currently engaged in an escalating war of words following Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te's recent speeches that challenge Beijing's historical narrative. Lai has articulated that Taiwan is "of course a country," a statement that has provoked strong reactions from Chinese officials. A spokesperson from the Taiwan Affairs Office emphasized that any "independence provocations" from Lai's administration will face "resolute countermeasures," reinforcing China's stance that the concept of "invasion" is moot since it views Taiwan as an already integral part of its territory, as reported by Reuters and Channel News Asia.

During a press briefing, the spokesperson for China's military (PLA) reiterated its commitment to enhancing combat readiness to safeguard what it deems national sovereignty, explicitly linking Lai's remarks to rising tensions. The spokesperson claimed that the Lai administration's rhetoric risks escalating Taiwan into a war-like situation, further portraying Lai as a "separatist" whose actions jeopardize regional stability, according to Reuters and TRT Global.

The backdrop of this confrontation lies in a historical dispute that traces back to the aftermath of China's civil war in 1949. Since then, Taiwan has remained a self-governing entity, holding fast to its identity as the Republic of China. Lai emphasized this perspective in his speeches, questioning the legitimacy of China's claims and asserting that Taiwan's future belongs to its people in a democratic context. His comments were met with a firm rebuttal from Chinese officials, including a declaration of "zero tolerance" for any moves toward independence, indicated Reuters and Channel News Asia.

Meanwhile, military tensions have significantly heightened, with Chinese war games and military evaluations posing a potential threat to Taiwan's security. The last series of Chinese military exercises, which took place in April, were observed to include extensive air force and naval presence, further demonstrating Beijing's readiness to exert pressure on Taiwan. Reports indicate that these actions are perceived by many as preparations for possible future offensive operations against Taiwan, as noted by TRT Global and Reuters.