Lai's actions escalate cross-Strait tensions

DPP leader's separatist nature revealed in his misleading subversive rhetoric on relations

Editor's note: The Taiwan question is a key focus for China and the international community. China Daily is publishing a series of reports to track hot Taiwan-related topics and address disinformation from the Democratic Progressive Party administration.

Lai Ching-te's actions since taking office as Taiwan's leader a year ago have escalated tensions and undermined peace across the Taiwan Strait, with observers urging him and the Democratic Progressive Party to drop the confrontational stance toward the Chinese mainland.

Lai, 65, won the island's leadership election in January last year, succeeding Tsai Ing-wen, who had been in power for the eight years prior. Lai has publicly branded himself multiple times as a "pragmatic worker for 'Taiwan independence'".