It is "impossible" for the People's Republic of China to become Taiwan's motherland because Taiwan has older political roots, the island's President Lai Ching-te said on Saturday.

Lai said at a National Day celebration that Taiwan's government was celebrating its 113th birthday, while Beijing's just celebrated its 75th.

It is “absolutely impossible” for the People’s Republic of China to become Taiwan’s motherland because the island’s government is older, Taiwan’s president said ahead of the island’s national day celebrations.

Taiwan’s president Lai Ching-te said it was “impossible” for mainland China to become the self-governing island’s motherland, claiming that Taiwan had older political roots. “In terms of age, it is absolutely impossible for the People’s Republic of China to become the motherland of the Republic of China’s people,