Lai's make-believe on a hiding to nothing

It is "absolutely impossible" for the People's Republic of China ruled by the Communist Party of China since 1949 to become Taiwan's motherland because the island's government is older, Taiwan's secessionist-minded Lai Ching-te said on Saturday in a carefully timed speech that underscores the intense historical rivalry between the two.

Lai made the remarks at a concert in Taipei on Saturday during the National Day holiday of the Chinese mainland with the intent of infuriating Beijing by alleging that Taiwan is already a "sovereign and independent country", whose government ruled the Chinese mainland for decades before relocating to Taiwan when the CPC came to power.

"If anyone in Taiwan wants to say happy birthday to the PRC, please do not call it the motherland." Lai made the comments after some Taiwan actors recently said happy birthday to the PRC, which celebrated the 75th anniversary of its founding on Oct 1.