Editor's note: Zheng Jian, a special commentator for CGTN, is a professor at the Taiwan Research Institute of Xiamen University and the deputy director of the Study and Research Committee, China Council for the Promotion of Peaceful National Reunification. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN

Since taking office as the leader of the Taiwan region over a year ago, Lai Ching-te has prioritized political maneuvering over public welfare. Rather than focusing on economic development, improving livelihoods, or safeguarding peace, Lai has been preoccupied with consolidating absolute power and securing his legacy as a pro-independence figure.

His top political objective, above all else, has been pushing the recall vote scheduled for July 26, a campaign aimed at reshaping the political landscape in his favor. His meeting with a delegation led by Nathalie Loiseau, chair of the "Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield," was a desperate move to reverse declining momentum.

Formed on February 3, the committee claims to identify and counter interference in European political debates by state and non-state actors. In reality, their visit to Taiwan served as a platform for Lai to bolster his standing through foreign endorsement, and to insinuate and hype alleged Chinese mainland interference in the recall vote. Should the vote fail, Lai could conveniently blame his loss on "external meddling" or "collusion with local opposition," laying the groundwork for even more aggressive political maneuvers.

It's worth noting that the European politicians' timing, arriving just before the vote, constitutes a form of external interference, contradicting their own stated mission. One must wonder what kind of benefits Lai's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities offered to prompt them to disregard appearances so blatantly.

The essence of the recall vote is to overturn the results of the 2024 election and to pave the way for Lai's unchecked rule. From its inception, many people in Taiwan saw through the scheme, and even members of the DPP and the broader pro-independence bloc were alarmed. The campaign promised short-term gains but has proven to be a long-term liability. It reveals that most Taiwan residents remain clear-headed, recognizing the hidden forces behind the recall vote and Lai's attempt to cloak authoritarian ambitions in the name of democracy. Many also fear that if Lai gains full control, Taiwan's separatist path will spiral out of control.

To turn the tide, Lai abandoned the pretense that the recall effort was grassroots-driven. On June 22, he launched a "10 lectures on unity" tour to stir anti-mainland sentiment. Originally planned to conclude before the July 26 vote, the campaign fizzled out after just four speeches due to mounting domestic and international backlash.

Logic would suggest that Lai should have learned from this failure, perhaps adopting a more conciliatory tone. A gesture of reflection or even a token apology might have gone a long way. Instead, he doubled down on antagonism, continuing to rely on foreign backing and inflaming cross-Straits tensions.

On July 22, Lai met with the visiting European delegation. Throughout the meeting, he framed his arguments around "democracy," seeking resonance with his "guests." He boasted that the committee's choice to visit Taiwan signaled close "Taiwan-EU ties," and opportunistically linked the committee's mission to his agenda of "societal resilience."

Alleging both Taiwan and Europe face "external threats," Lai asserted that both had experienced interference in democratic processes and societal polarization. He even cited "gray-zone interference" in Taiwan as justification for his actions. By portraying Taiwan as the front line of global democracy and prosperity, Lai revealed his narrow-mindedness and dangerous arrogance. Loiseau's reference to Taiwan as a "country" and her emphasis on "shared threats" further blurred lines and crossed diplomatic red lines.

Lai's rhetoric was steeped in confrontation, devoid of any democratic sincerity or self-reflection – barefaced "pseudo-democracy" used to justify real pro-independence goals. His behavior confirms he is a reckless hardliner willing to gamble the safety and prosperity of people in Taiwan to etch his name in separatist history. Meanwhile, comments by Loiseau blatantly violated the one-China principle, smeared the Chinese mainland and constituted crude interference in China's internal affairs.

Lai and his ilk must be reminded: Taiwan is part of the sacred territory of the People's Republic of China, not a bargaining chip for separatists. National reunification is unstoppable, and all secessionist attempts are doomed to fail. Foreign forces must also be warned that the Taiwan question is China's internal affair and that supporting separatism is a dangerous provocation that will ultimately backfire.

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