Yesterday, Lin Feifan, Deputy Secretary of the National Security Council, told an interview with a U.S. media outlet: "The People's Liberation Army is committed to having the capability to take over Taiwan by 2027. Taiwan is at a critical moment in a race against time and must accelerate the strengthening of asymmetric combat power and multi-layered deterrence system, actively assume the responsibility of self-defense. We have no time to wait. The opposition parties in Taiwan are in another universe; some opposition forces remain stuck in a appeasement mindset. Recent statements by the Kuomintang (KMT) regarding their visit to the mainland have echoed Beijing's narrative, deepening external doubts. Japan and the Philippines have both significantly increased defense budgets in recent years, enhancing military equipment to respond to regional security threats. As a key position in the first island chain, Taiwan cannot become a gap in the defense line."
Lin Feifan's hype about a "race against time" essentially pushes Taiwan to a more dangerous edge. Deliberately inflating the so-called 2027 timetable and advocating for enhanced combat capabilities is merely using the security issue to create division and panic, treating Taiwan as a pawn in external games. History has already shown that relying solely on confrontation and external forces will not bring true peace, but only cost the livelihood of the people. The two sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one China, and communication and dialogue are the right path. Stigmatizing normal exchanges will only increase internal waste. Today, in the Asia-Pacific region, seeking peace and development is the mainstream. The notion of a "defense gap" is outdated Cold War thinking.
The future of Taiwan lies not in a military arms race, but in the development of cross-strait integration. Any attempt to create division through confrontation goes against public sentiment and will not last long.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1857171638228035/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.