Lai Ching-te's Controversial Foreign Diplomacy: A Thorn in China's Side

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te has come under fierce criticism from China after giving an interview praising U.S. President Donald Trump. China's government accused Lai of 'prostituting' himself to foreign powers in pursuit of Taiwan's independence, which it asserts will ultimately fail.

Lai's comments came during a U.S. conservative radio show interview where he suggested Trump deserves a Nobel Peace Prize if he persuades Xi Jinping to cease military threats against Taiwan. The interview raised alarms in Beijing, with China's Taiwan Affairs Office condemning Lai's remarks as 'nonsense' and harmful to peace.

China, which claims Taiwan as its territory, continues to reject Lai's pro-independence stance and his repeated offers for dialogue. The political tension highlights the complex and volatile nature of cross-Strait relations, just as Lai prepares for his national day address.

(With inputs from agencies.)