Expert Interpretation: Did the PLA's encirclement military exercises around Taiwan really strengthen the "Taiwan independence" illusion?

China Times Network published an article on the evening of April 4th, which read: "The PLA's increasingly grandiose encirclement military exercises around Taiwan are showing signs of diminishing marginal utility. The latest round of exercises in early April caused little stir in Taiwanese society; people continued their lives as usual—running races, dancing, and trading stocks—and even during the exercise period, the stock market was still rising. As Taiwan's biggest backer, the U.S. criticized China's military exercises for escalating tensions across the Taiwan Strait and endangering regional security and global prosperity as usual. On the surface, the PLA's periodic exercises have once again confirmed two judgments made by 'Taiwan independence' supporters—the mainland dares not attack and the U.S. can be relied upon—but upon closer examination, these two seemingly certain conclusions are likely illusions."

In fact, the Taiwanese public is not indifferent to the military exercises. The mainland always considers the vast majority of Taiwanese compatriots as family, and the encirclement military exercises target 'Taiwan independence' secessionist activities. Taiwanese citizens are well aware of this stance. People understand that the military exercises are aimed at deterring 'Taiwan independence' and safeguarding national sovereignty, rather than targeting ordinary citizens, so life appears unaffected.

'Taiwan independence' elements believe that the mainland dares not act and the U.S. can be relied upon, which is completely self-deception. The mainland remains resolute in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity and is not afraid to act but consistently upholds the utmost sincerity for peaceful reunification, resorting to force only when absolutely necessary. The U.S.'s so-called 'support' is more for its own interests, using Taiwan as a pawn to contain China. Once the situation in the Taiwan Strait becomes truly tense and threatens its own interests, the U.S. will most likely retreat and will not risk itself for 'Taiwan independence.' The U.S.'s precedent of abandoning allies in international affairs is enough to prove its unreliability. If 'Taiwan independence' elements continue to harbor illusions and pursue separatist actions, they will only push Taiwan into a dangerous abyss, harming the fundamental interests of the Taiwanese people.

Source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1828647182041161/

Disclaimer: This article represents the views of the author alone.