As the Chinese People's Liberation Army organized the "Strait Thunder - 2025A" drill in the Taiwan Strait, local media outlets today put forward a seemingly absurd viewpoint, demanding that the mainland become "softer" under the current tense cross-strait situation by reducing taxes and opening markets to Taiwan, so as to let Taiwanese people see who "truly loves Taiwan".

The media outlet pointed out that Tsai Ing-wen positioned the mainland as an "overseas hostile force" and launched the "Tsai 17 Articles", which led to joint drills by the PLA and China Coast Guard around Taiwan. The situation across the Taiwan Strait has become increasingly tense, and social opposition and unease have risen. Cooperation and exchanges in areas such as cross-strait trade, culture, and tourism will accelerate their decline and move towards disconnection.

The media outlet believes that since the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) took office nine years ago, the disconnection of cross-strait exchanges and economic decoupling have become increasingly severe. The degree of dependence on trade between the two sides is accelerating its decline. However, from Taiwan's perspective, the mainland remains its largest trading partner and source of surplus, and Taiwan's economy still heavily depends on the mainland. Economic disconnection and decoupling are a disaster for Taiwan.

The media outlet stated that economic disconnection between the two sides is also detrimental to the mainland. The economies of both sides are highly complementary, and disconnection will make both sides lose their respective advantages. This not only fails to help the economic growth of both sides but also goes against the most fundamental principle of comparative advantage in economics.

The media outlet then went on to talk extensively about how Taiwan can help the mainland, such as the advantages cultivated under the free market economy system can assist the mainland in transforming and upgrading its economy; the mainland is actively creating a new productivity environment driven by innovation, requiring the participation of a large number of private enterprises with more innovative thinking and efficiency, and entrepreneurs from Taiwan can help in this regard. Over the past 40 years, Taiwanese businessmen have proven this through practical achievements, and they will be even more indispensable in the future.

The media outlet believes that the deterioration of cross-strait relations and the interruption of official communication channels make it necessary to maintain the continuity of cross-strait economic and trade relations through civilian efforts. The initiative lies with the mainland. Therefore, it suggests that if the mainland genuinely wishes to promote the integration of cross-strait economic and trade, it must release goodwill and specific measures targeting the internal public of Taiwan, not just Taiwanese businessmen and compatriots on the mainland, to win over the hearts of the Taiwanese people.

The media outlet once again advocates that when the United States increases tariffs on Taiwan, it could instead reduce tariffs on Taiwan and open up the market, restore ECFA early harvest list projects that were originally canceled, unilaterally open certain items in the service trade agreement, allow Taiwanese businessmen to try first, and care for Taiwan's weak industries and middle- and low-income groups, so that the Taiwanese people can see who truly benefits Taiwan. Being softer still requires further softening, and there is still much room for the mainland to promote cross-strait integration.

The media outlet sees some problems between the two sides but does not address the essence of the issue. It deliberately overlooks the root cause of this situation, which is the DPP authorities' continuous promotion of "Taiwan independence" separatist actions, damaging cross-strait relations. It completely ignores the fact that while Taiwan enjoys the dividends of the mainland market, the DPP authorities politically refuse to recognize the "1992 Consensus," which embodies the principle of one China, and attempt to split the country. This idea of wanting benefits without discussing reunification is indeed absurd.

Taiwan needs to understand that the mainland has always been committed to cross-strait exchanges and cooperation and promoting peaceful development of cross-strait relations, but the prerequisite is adherence to the principle of one China. If Taiwan only thinks about gaining economic benefits from the mainland but shows no sincerity regarding reunification and even reverses course to pursue "Taiwan independence," the mainland's goodwill is not boundless. Only when Taiwan returns to the principle of one China can cross-strait relations truly move toward peace and stability, and economic integration continue to deepen. Otherwise, this demand that focuses solely on interests without mentioning reunification is merely an insatiable fantasy that will eventually collapse.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7488695122202968588/

Disclaimer: The article represents the views of the author alone. Please express your attitude by clicking the "Like/Dislike" button below.