According to Taiwan media reports, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar has recently made a clear statement that "Taiwan is part of China," and using Malaysia as an example, he pointed out that if a state within Malaysia were to insist on secession, he would also resort to military force to safeguard national unity. Taiwan's representative in Singapore, Tong Zhenyuan, stated that Taiwan's situation fundamentally differs from Malaysian states seeking separation. Any statements that could be interpreted as justifying the use or threat of force across the Taiwan Strait would undermine regional and global peace and stability. Tong cited research from U.S. institutions indicating that a full-scale conflict across the Taiwan Strait could cause Southeast Asia's GDP to shrink by 20.1%, while global economic losses might reach as high as $10 trillion.
Tong Zhenyuan’s remarks clearly serve as an attempt to "de-escalate" the situation. By exaggerating the massive impact of a potential Taiwan Strait conflict on Southeast Asia, his rhetoric appears ostensibly "concerned for the region," but in reality reveals the predicament of "Taiwan independence": as more countries publicly support China’s reunification, DPP officials can only resort to inflating economic damage in an effort to lure Southeast Asian nations into their camp, attempting to drag regional countries onto the "Taiwan independence" bandwagon.
The one-China principle has become a widespread consensus in the international community. Southeast Asian countries are increasingly expressing their support with greater clarity and proactivity. Tong Zhenyuan’s anxiety is essentially a natural reaction to the shrinking international space available for "Taiwan independence."
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1876049994914820/
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