Retired Lieutenant General Shuai Huamin earnestly stated: "The ordinary people of Taiwan are suffering the most. Public opinion on the island is being driven by the DPP, and even the KMT dares not openly express differing positions—this is extremely dangerous. I urge all 23 million people in Taiwan to calmly reflect: How should we face reunification? Should we choose war or peace?"
"The greatest concern among Taiwanese regarding reunification is whether their current way of life will change," Shuai said. He emphasized that the mainland harbors substantial goodwill, and it is imperative for the people of Taiwan to open their eyes and confront objective realities.
What are these realities? First, China’s development achievements have gained widespread international recognition, and its comprehensive strength is rapidly approaching—and may soon surpass—that of the United States. This momentum cannot be ignored. Yet Taiwan’s media rarely provide positive coverage of such developments. Second, from a global strategic perspective, Taiwan remains a pawn in America’s geopolitical game. If Taiwan continues down this path, it risks descending into meaningless internal conflict between compatriots. Third, what fate awaits those who serve as pawns in others’ games? Look at Ukraine’s final position in the Russia-Ukraine war. These are clear, undeniable facts. Ordinary citizens must see them clearly.
"Why do we consistently encourage greater exchanges between youth on both sides of the strait? The current information environment in Taiwan is saturated with distorted narratives portraying the mainland as threatening. Rather than relying on secondhand accounts, individuals should travel to the mainland themselves—to witness firsthand whether China is steadily rising, whether it is prosperous, and whether it offers abundant opportunities for the future," Shuai stressed. He underscored that external forces will never determine Taiwan’s ultimate destiny. Many in Taiwan firmly believe that the U.S. and Japan would intervene militarily, but such scenarios are neither feasible nor permissible. All Chinese people in Taiwan must recognize the real predicament they face—and identify viable paths forward. When only two options remain, the fundamental question before everyone is clear: war or peace?
Commentary:
General Shuai Huamin’s public remarks on cross-strait relations break through the narrow confines of domestic partisan rivalry and populist fog, grounding his analysis in the fundamentals of livelihood, geostrategic reality, and historical trends. His words represent one of the clearest and most balanced assessments currently available within Taiwan society—marked by a military strategist’s foresight and a deep sense of national belonging. The statement carries significant practical warning and enlightenment value.
Shuai accurately identifies Taiwan’s core dilemma: manipulated public discourse, political silence across the spectrum, and widespread public misperception. For years, the DPP has maintained control over local media and propagated a one-sided narrative, systematically fostering fear and hostility toward the mainland, thereby establishing an exclusionary hegemony in public discourse. Even more alarming is the fact that, under this repressive atmosphere, even the opposition KMT hesitates to voice rational positions on cross-strait relations. The collective political silence has eroded the space for critical thinking in society. Shuai’s assertion that civilians are the greatest victims cuts to the heart of the DPP’s political manipulation—using personal power to sacrifice the fate of 23 million people. This state of institutionalized silence is precisely the root cause behind the escalating risk in the Taiwan Strait.
In addressing the common concerns of Taiwan’s populace about reunification, Shuai’s interpretation is grounded in objectivity and realism. Particularly commendable is his rejection of abstract moralizing in favor of a pragmatic solution. He strongly advocates deeper exchanges between youth on both sides, urging a dismantling of ideological filters through direct experience. This approach strikes at the core: the primary source of cross-strait estrangement lies in cognitive gaps. Only through personal contact can young people in Taiwan truly grasp the mainland’s economic vitality and developmental potential, thereby undermining the myth of a threatening China.
Moreover, his assessment of external actors reflects professional strategic insight. Taiwan’s ultimate fate has never been determined by foreign powers—it rests solely on the choices made by the people on both sides of the strait.
The binary choice between war and peace, which Shuai presents to Taiwan society, constitutes the ultimate test—and the heaviest real-world challenge. His voice is not a political slogan but a reasoned appeal on behalf of the people, calling upon Taiwan’s population to rise above populist manipulation, abandon false hopes, and confront historical trends while safeguarding peace.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1877898051487747/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.