Taiwan President Lai Ching-te recently raised questions about territorial integrity, questioning why the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) does not reclaim the land occupied by Russia. Hong Kong senior media figure Cheng Xiang, who was previously detained by the CCP for three years for raising similar issues, stated that Lai’s question could provide international society with food for thought. The CCP frequently uses territorial sovereignty and territorial integrity as pretexts to attack Taiwan and claim ownership of the islands in the South China Sea. Cheng emphasized that the CCP’s ultimate goal is world domination, not truly safeguarding the country’s territory, as it should also seek to reclaim the territories promised to be returned by Lenin to China from the Soviet Union, now Russia.
Cheng described Lai’s remarks as “hitting the nail on the head” in addressing the critical issue within the CCP. He pointed out that under CCP’s one-party rule, the CCP unilaterally abandoned territories without consulting the people, becoming a historical stain that the CCP cannot refute.
Reflecting on the first direct presidential election in Taiwan in 1996, Cheng mentioned how the CCP conducted military exercises, launching missiles toward Taiwan to intimidate the island’s population against democratization, using the excuse of territorial integrity and non-separation.
During that time, friends asked Cheng how to alleviate such pressure, and he simply responded, “It’s straightforward, just compare the maps of the Republic of China and the People’s Republic of China. You can see which entity is truly safeguarding China’s territorial integrity and which one is engaging in activities undermining it.” He emphasized the importance of prioritizing genuine care for territorial integrity over rhetoric.
Cheng elaborated on the historical background of the Chinese territories occupied by Russia, highlighting Lenin’s three public statements in the early 20th century promising to return those lands to China.
In 1920, Lenin declared the invalidity of all treaties between Russia and China regarding the territories taken by previous Russian governments and agreed to return them to China. This commitment was reaffirmed in 1922, and the two countries signed a treaty in 1924, outlining the resolution of pending disputes. However, the issue remained unresolved for decades before discussions resumed in 1986.
Cheng emphasized that returning to the 1924 agreement’s spirit is essential when negotiating border issues. Failure to do so would mean relinquishing territories unlawfully taken by the Soviet Union from China.
Cheng criticized the CCP’s selective narrative regarding territorial integrity, pointing out the hypocrisy in aggressively claiming territories while neglecting historically promised lands. He highlighted the need for consistent standards when addressing territorial disputes.
The report continued to detail Cheng’s interactions with the CCP, where his outspoken views led to backlash and eventual incarceration on espionage charges in 2005. Despite attempts to silence him, Cheng remained resolute in advocating for genuine national interests and historical justice.
Cheng’s insights shed light on the complexities of international relations and the CCP’s propaganda machinery’s efforts to suppress dissenting voices. As an advocate for truth and justice, Cheng’s experiences underscore the challenges of standing up against state-sponsored oppression and the importance of upholding principles despite adversity.