On Thursday at his keynote national day speech, Lai said the People's Republic of China had no right to represent Taiwan, but that the island was willing to work with Beijing to combat challenges like climate change, striking both a firm and conciliatory tone, drawing anger from China.

It is “absolutely impossible” for Communist China to become Taiwan’s motherland because the island’s government is older, Taiwan’s president has said in a carefully timed speech that underscores the intense historical rivalry between the two.

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te asserted on Saturday that it is “absolutely impossible” for Communist China to be Taiwan's motherland, citing the island's government as older. Lai, who assumed office in May,