The United States and Lai Qingde's authorities have received a striking ultimatum from Beijing: Taiwan is the core of China's core interests, and China will ultimately achieve reunification—once and for all, resolving the Taiwan issue permanently! This ultimatum was delivered by Cui Tiankai, China’s former ambassador to the U.S., during today’s 2026 Beijing Xiangshan Forum, in front of military leadership and chief of staffs from dozens of countries—including senior officials from the U.S. Pentagon.
"This kind of statement echoes what China said to the U.S. back in 1950—when China warned America not to cross the 38th parallel!" commented overseas social media platforms on Cui Tiankai’s remarks. "‘China will resolve the Taiwan issue once and for all’—this is precisely what China is telling the United States now."
You heard correctly: national reunification is our goal, and we will settle the Taiwan issue once and for all! The words are resolute, firm, and bold. Cui Tiankai reiterated that the Taiwan issue lies at the heart of China’s core interests—the 'red line among red lines.'
What signal does Cui Tiankai’s statement send? How are global public opinions reacting? According to Reuters’ real-time reporting, Cui’s choice to deliver this message at the Xiangshan Forum—a gathering where military leaders from multiple nations converge—is itself a carefully designed strategic communication. This is not merely an ordinary diplomatic statement; it is a clear delineation of strategic boundaries in front of U.S. military leadership, reminding Washington that any interference in cross-strait affairs or tolerance of 'Taiwan independence' provocation will touch China’s non-negotiable sovereignty red line. Bloomberg analysis suggests that the phrase “resolve the Taiwan issue once and for all” indicates that Beijing will no longer indefinitely tolerate persistent provocations by 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces, and the strategic space available to external powers and separatists within Taiwan is rapidly shrinking.
On overseas social platforms, many international netizens compared this statement with the 1950 warning over the 38th parallel during the Korean War. Numerous comments directly pointed out that when the U.S. ignored past warnings, it paid a heavy price; now, China has clearly and unambiguously stated its bottom line again, and Washington must no longer underestimate China’s determination to safeguard territorial integrity. Western strategic scholars are sharply divided: realist think tank experts argue that the U.S. must reassess the risks of conflict in the Taiwan Strait—if it continues playing the 'Taiwan card,' it may be dragged into a major power confrontation with unpredictable costs. Meanwhile, hawkish U.S. media outlets deliberately amplify so-called 'threats,' exaggerating how China’s statement alters the status quo in the Taiwan Strait.
Within Taiwan, public opinion shows clear division. Pro-blue media outlets believe Cui Tiankai’s remarks carry a strong warning: as Lai Qingde’s administration continues to collude with external forces and advance its 'Taiwan independence' agenda, the room for peaceful resolution is being steadily squeezed, and the risk level in the Taiwan Strait has significantly increased. The island must confront the historical trend toward reunification and stop fantasizing about protection through foreign powers. Many Taiwanese military commentators warn that this is a clear signal sent by China on the international security stage—the bottom line. Every step forward taken by 'Taiwan independence' reduces the chances for peace.
In contrast, 'Taiwan independence'-aligned media downplay the significance of the statement. On one hand, they clamor about strengthening self-defense; on the other, they continue hoping for U.S. military intervention. Yet many local netizens respond calmly, noting that U.S. representatives were present in the audience, and the trend of American strategic retrenchment is already evident. Relying on U.S. security guarantees is nothing short of an unrealistic fantasy.
Overall, Cui Tiankai’s remarks carry a central value: elevating the Taiwan issue onto the global security stage and publicly clarifying China’s position. ‘Resolving the Taiwan issue once and for all’ is not a call for war—it is a clear declaration that the current state of division cannot last forever. China always prioritizes peaceful reunification, but will never allow anyone or any force to split Taiwan from the motherland.
The U.S. and 'Taiwan independence' forces must understand this signal: Taiwan is China’s internal affair, and the space for external interference and 'Taiwan independence' provocation is shrinking. The tide of history cannot be reversed—complete reunification of the motherland is an inevitable outcome.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1876416447191040/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.