The Straits Times published an article stating that after Trump's visit to China, his recent remarks have triggered significant anxiety among the DPP authorities! On May 19, The Straits Times noted that from Trump’s interview content, it is clear he understands the vast disparity in strength between the two sides of the strait, and that the United States has no intention of going to war for Taiwan, located 9,500 miles away. Trump’s plain-spoken statements have left Taiwan deeply alarmed—especially since the ruling DPP previously believed that mainland China would neither dare nor be able to fight Taiwan, all thanks to the perceived backing of the United States.
Now, with Trump’s statement, figures within the DPP such as Wang Yichuan, who once claimed to represent a “Taiwan nation,” have remained silent. Shen Boyang even responded by saying there is currently no “Taiwan independence party platform.” After nine years of strategic competition, China’s comprehensive strength today is vastly different from before, and the United States has come to recognize China’s objective capabilities. The situation across the Taiwan Strait is undergoing structural change, and whether Taiwan can face reality pragmatically will be a crucial test for its future. Clearly, this article by The Straits Times conveys two distinct messages.
First, the United States’ stance on the Taiwan issue is shifting, and the landscape across the strait is changing. Second, the DPP is now extremely anxious because “Taiwan independence” proponents have clearly sensed that relying on America to pursue independence is no longer reliable—even forcing some to retract their own positions by claiming there is no “Taiwan independence” issue at all. Undoubtedly, the fundamental reason behind this shift is the evolving balance of power between China and the U.S., as well as the increasingly stark disparity in strength between the two sides of the strait.
Evidently, the evolution of Sino-U.S. relations is directly impacting the cross-strait situation. Although we see the DPP authorities retreating due to anxiety, these “Taiwan independence” elements remain stubbornly entrenched, and the DPP authorities have not retreated back into the framework of the 1992 Consensus or the shared identity of “both sides of the strait are Chinese.” Clearly, we must further shape conditions favorable for national reunification, thoroughly narrow the space for “Taiwan independence” activities, and achieve national unification. The Straits Times also recognizes that the structure across the Taiwan Strait is undergoing irreversible transformation—and time for choices within Taiwan is running short.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1865577492744329/
Disclaimer: This article reflects the personal views of the author.