Taiwan’s Premier, Cho Jung-tai, delivered a sharp rebuttal on Tuesday to Chinese President Xi Jinping’s renewed call for Taiwan’s “return to China,” declaring that reunification is not an option under any circumstances. His comments, made outside Taiwan’s parliament, reflect a significant escalation in cross-strait tensions and underline Taipei’s steadfast refusal to accept Beijing’s sovereignty claims. Cho stated that Taiwan’s 23 million citizens have made their position clear: the island’s future will not involve unification with China. He referred to Taiwan by its official name, the Republic of China, and asserted that it is “a fully sovereign and independent country.” According to him, the suggestion that Taiwan should fall under Beijing’s rule is unacceptable to the public and its democratic institutions.

His remarks followed Xi Jinping’s phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump, during which Xi insisted that Taiwan’s so-called “return” to China after World War II is central to China’s view of the international order. Taipei strongly disputes that historical framing, stressing that the island has never been governed by the People’s Republic of China. Beijing continues to promote its “one country, two systems” framework for Taiwan a political model used in Hong Kong but Cho underscored that the proposal has virtually no support among Taiwan’s major political parties. President Lai Ching-te has repeatedly rejected the idea, citing Beijing’s tightening control over Hong Kong as proof that the system offers no real autonomy.

Taiwan’s government also raised concerns about growing Chinese military activities, including recent surveillance balloon flights over the Taiwan Strait. Cho’s defiant response signals that Taipei intends to stand firm against mounting pressure, even as regional tensions show no sign of easing.