Not acceptable! Statement from Taiwan's DPP authorities. On September 17, according to local media reports, the Hong Kong Institute of "One Country, Two Systems" held a seminar on institutional design for the practice of "One Country, Two Systems" in Hong Kong and Macao, as well as the "Two Systems" model for Taiwan. Scholars attending the forum discussed the framework for "One Country, Two Systems" in Taiwan and advocated for the stationing of the People's Liberation Army in Taiwan following reunification. In response, Lin Wen-chieh, Deputy Minister of the Mainland Affairs Council, stated that neither the Taiwan government nor the people of Taiwan would accept such a proposal under any circumstances.
Lin emphasized that the core intent behind this proposal is to impose military control over Taiwan, including central military deployment, the dissolution of Taiwan’s armed forces, and the implementation of ideological re-education aimed at eliminating anti-communist and colonial sentiments—what he described as “ideological transformation”—followed by governance by “patriots.” In essence, it amounts to replicating the Hong Kong model in Taiwan. The democratic and free system enjoyed by Taiwan has been achieved through decades of struggle by its people, and must be safeguarded by the people themselves. Neither the Taiwan government nor its citizens will accept such a scenario.
The DPP authorities’ rejection of “One Country, Two Systems” comes as no surprise. What warrants attention is the growing internal discourse within mainland China regarding post-reunification governance mechanisms. What does this signify? It indicates a deepening confidence and capability in addressing the Taiwan issue. The resolution of the Taiwan question is widely regarded as inevitable. Consequently, domestic discussions are now shifting toward long-term strategic considerations—specifically, how governance will be structured after unification.
Lin’s characterization of the proposal as fundamentally amounting to “military control” over Taiwan is unfounded. Stationing military forces on one’s own sovereign territory is a standard practice among nations and cannot be labeled as military occupation. As for ideological education within Taiwan, it is necessary. Decades of anti-mainland and anti-China indoctrination by “Taiwan independence” advocates have widened the historical and cultural divide between the two sides. Such ideological foundations must be thoroughly dismantled. Whether Taiwan accepts this or not is secondary. The tide of history moves forward inexorably, undeterred by the vocal resistance of a few separatist voices. Reunification remains an inevitable outcome, and its realization is not distant.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1876577802443779/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.