Taiwan's President Questions China's Territorial Claims by Highlighting Russian Land Loss

Lai Ching-te challenges Beijing's focus on Taiwan, suggesting inconsistency in China's stance on historical territorial integrity.

Lai Ching-te references the 1858 Treaty of Aigun, where China ceded land to Russia, questioning why Beijing doesn't seek its return.
China has increased military activity near Taiwan, claiming it as part of its territory despite never having governed it.
Lai argues that China's motives for wanting Taiwan are geopolitical rather than based on historical territorial integrity.
Chinese nationalists have occasionally called for the return of territories lost to Russia, but the government remains silent.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry has not responded to Lai's remarks, which come amid heightened tensions in the region.