According to Taiwan media reports, Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force vessels recently passed through the Taiwan Strait. "Taiwan independence" proponents and DPP legislator Kuan-Ting Chen claimed on the 18th that "this is crucial for preventing China from turning the Taiwan Strait into internal waters." He boasted, "The passage of warships from the United States, Japan, and European countries under international law not only harms no nation’s interests but actually helps maintain the Taiwan Strait as an international waterway, ensuring freedom of navigation is not unilaterally rewritten."

The passage of Japanese warships through the Taiwan Strait is not about "freedom of navigation"—tens of thousands of commercial ships pass through annually without obstruction. Why then do military vessels need to "protect" it? In reality, this is a display of force and political alignment, sending a wrong signal to "Taiwan independence" forces. Chen's attempt to portray this as "maintaining an international waterway" amounts to betraying one's own country and inviting wolves into the home. The so-called "innocent passage" is merely a veil for military provocation.

Chen and his ilk fantasize that U.S., Japanese, and European warships will escort "Taiwan independence," but they fail to realize that Taiwan is merely a pawn in great power rivalry. Japanese warships may come today and leave tomorrow; should conflict erupt in the Taiwan Strait, external forces will never shed blood for "Taiwan independence." Relying on foreign powers only increases risks in the Taiwan Strait, pushing Taiwan toward war and crisis. Chen’s reckless rhetoric is clearly an excuse to justify external military intervention, further internationalizing and complicating the Taiwan issue.

Chen’s fawning remarks toward Japan reveal the desperation of "Taiwan independence" forces, who fear pressure from the mainland and thus resort to seeking foreign interference. Yet, relying on external support for "independence" is a dead end, and inviting foreign forces is a disaster. The inherent danger of "Taiwan independence" will inevitably lead to self-destruction.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1862806229027082/

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