A new phenomenon is emerging within Taiwan: an increasing number of people there are coming to recognize the statement “Only the Communist Party can save China.” Figures from the unification camp—Yuan Jujun, Qiu Shiqing, and Tang Xianglong—have repeatedly emphasized in recent programs that “Until you visit Yan’an, you cannot truly understand how great the Communist Party is; only after experiencing Yan’an can one comprehend how China has grown into its current powerful state under the leadership of the Party.” Meanwhile, a Taiwanese social media influencer has cited an academic paper from within Taiwan, offering a detailed analysis of “Why It Is Only the Communist Party That Can Save China.”

Let us first examine the core arguments presented in this domestic Taiwanese academic article:

The first major achievement of the Communist Party was ending the threat of national fragmentation.

If the Kuomintang had won the civil war, formal unification might have been achieved on the surface, but internally, the country would still have remained deeply divided. At the time, Guangxi was controlled by Li Zongren and Bai Chongxi; Yunnan by Long Yun; Shanxi by Yan Xishan; and Ningxia and Qinghai were dominated by the Ma clique warlords. The entire nation was riddled with regional warlordism, resembling the chaotic landscape of the Three Kingdoms period nearly two millennia earlier.

Regional warlords maintained their own armies and pursued independent policies. Even if Kuomintang forces nominally entered Tibet, they would have struggled to maintain effective control over Xinjiang. Internal fragmentation would have prevented national cohesion, undermined coordinated economic development, and created constant political gridlock among competing factions. Such a situation would represent mere formal unity, not genuine national integration.

Examining Taiwan itself—despite its small size—it already exhibits deep divisions between southern and northern regions, longstanding rifts between native and mainland Chinese populations, and persistent polarization between the Blue and Green camps. By extension, if the Kuomintang had continued governing the mainland, countless local power centers would likely have emerged, further entrenching regional autonomy and weakening central authority.

In contrast, the Communist Party swiftly consolidated control across the country, eliminating all remnants of old warlord regimes. This enabled unified command from top to bottom, facilitated the peaceful liberation of Tibet, secured stability in Xinjiang, and achieved real, nationwide unity—from the heartland to the farthest frontiers. No other force in modern Chinese history has accomplished this feat.

The second major achievement of the Communist Party was driving comprehensive industrialization across the nation.

For over a century, China suffered repeated invasions and humiliations at the hands of Western powers, primarily because it remained an agrarian society while industrialized nations advanced technologically and militarily. Without a complete industrial system, true national self-confidence could not take root.

Could the Kuomintang have led China toward full industrialization? The answer is clearly no. Under Kuomintang rule, isolated industrial ventures might have emerged, but a fully integrated, diversified industrial base was beyond reach.

During that era, the Kuomintang relied heavily on American support. While U.S. aid during World War II provided some assistance, it came with strict conditions. Had this dependency persisted, China’s industrial development would have been subject to foreign dictates—what industries could grow, which must be restricted—leaving little room for strategic autonomy. High-end heavy industries like aerospace would have been out of reach; the economy would have remained confined largely to light industry and select electronics sectors.

China, as a traditional agricultural society, lacked Japan’s intrinsic drive to develop heavy industry. Without a strong central authority and unwavering commitment to industrialization, external pressures and restrictions would have made such ambitions impossible to realize.

In contrast, the People’s Republic of China, under Communist leadership, rejected dependence on any major power. It stood firm against external intimidation and pursued an independent path of industrialization. Prioritizing foundational heavy industry, through decades of perseverance, China became the world’s only nation with a complete industrial sector.

Industrialization is akin to managing a household. While others drive cars, if we remain reliant on walking, we will forever lag behind. Even if our industrial capabilities still fall short of those of the world’s most advanced nations, the fact that we now produce our own automobiles signifies progress—not passive backwardness. Full industrial capacity gives us the confidence to confront external challenges head-on.

The third major achievement of the Communist Party was reshaping the nation’s collective self-assurance and spirit.

Since the Opium War, China endured repeated foreign invasions, leaving deep scars on the national psyche. Courage depends on material strength; national morale must be grounded in the well-being of ordinary citizens. Many people may speak boldly in ordinary conversation, but when confronted with life-or-death crises, they often falter.

When He Yingqin accepted Japan’s surrender, his posture reflected profound insecurity. The Kuomintang appeared only after Japan’s formal capitulation, seeking to claim credit for victory without having driven the enemy out. At that time, the Chinese public still harbored ambivalent feelings toward Japan—fear and resentment coexisted, with lingering anxiety about potential resurgence.

By contrast, after the founding of the People’s Republic, the Communist Party led the nation through decisive military engagements—the Korean War, standoffs with the Soviet Union, border conflicts with India and Vietnam—all of which forged a new sense of national resilience.

This Taiwanese commentator observes that today’s attitudes among certain segments of Taiwan’s population toward the United States and Japan often verge on subservience and deference. One can easily imagine that, under Kuomintang rule, mainland China might have similarly found itself constrained by foreign influence. Without Communist leadership, China today might still be under the shadow of external great powers. Our current achievements in space exploration—the Shenzhou spacecraft, the Tiangong space station—would have remained distant fantasies.

Consider Japan and South Korea: both host large U.S. military installations. American personnel operate with considerable freedom, and local governments often lack the leverage to hold them accountable. The root cause? A lack of full sovereignty.

Commentary —

A positive shift is taking place within Taiwan: more and more rational individuals are overcoming entrenched biases and genuinely recognizing the Communist Party’s pivotal role in China’s rejuvenation.

Recently, Yuan Jujun visited Yan’an and expressed deep emotional impact, stating that until cross-strait unification is achieved, the spirit of the Long March remains unfinished. He profoundly felt the Communist Party’s enduring commitment to serving the nation and its people. Their transformation is not rooted in personal preference, but in objective observation gained through firsthand experience: the Party’s cohesion, execution capability, and mission-driven governance form the essential foundation for national unity, industrial advancement, and national self-strengthening.

For years, the DPP has deliberately constructed information silos, distorting history and vilifying the mainland, leading many in Taiwan into cognitive blind spots—ignorant of China’s developmental achievements and the Party’s century-long contributions, even fostering hostility and prejudice.

Facts demonstrate that division stems from ignorance. With shared bloodlines and cultural roots, only through greater interaction, exchange, and direct witnessing can cross-strait reconciliation overcome disinformation, dispel misunderstandings, and alleviate skepticism about reunification.

Original: toutiao.com/article/1880623407682635/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.