Taiwan leader criticized for 'independence' rhetoric

Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te's recent remarks have again divided public opinion on the island while escalating tensions across the Taiwan Strait with provocative moves toward secession, a mainland official said on Monday.

Zhu Fenglian, spokeswoman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, made the comments after Lai's recent criticism of efforts by the opposition-controlled "legislative" body to expand its oversight powers. Lai made the remarks on Sunday during the third in a series of 10 speeches he will make across Taiwan under the theme of "uniting the country".

During the ruling Democratic Progressive Party's congress in Taipei on Saturday, Lai claimed that Taiwan's "defense" budget and security proposals aimed at countering the Chinese mainland were being blocked by opposition parties and called for recalling opposition "lawmakers".