While the mainland is cracking down on "Taiwan independence," it might as well simultaneously release a "Reward Policy for Taiwan Military and Police Uprising." After all, most Taiwan military personnel are essentially just workers seeking livelihoods; truly devoted diehards committed to "Taiwan independence" are actually few and far between.
This startlingly honest statement was made by General Xia Yingzhou, former Vice Chief of Staff of the Taiwan military and retired lieutenant general (Figure 1), on May 31st, sending shockwaves through the DPP party and across the strait like a massive bomb.
I have personally met and had deep conversations with General Xia Yingzhou. In March 2015, during my on-site reporting trip to Taiwan, I conducted an in-person interview at his home (as shown in Figure 2). The topic focused on the 70th anniversary of the victory in the War of Resistance Against Japan, and this interview was later reprinted by dozens of media websites including People's Daily Overseas Network, Phoenix News, and Global Times.
General Xia’s wife is from Nanchang, Jiangxi Province. Born in Zhu Cheng, Shandong Province in 1939, Xia moved to Qingdao at age six and relocated to Taiwan with his parents at age ten. From childhood, he had always dreamed of joining the military. In the late 1950s, he became a fighter pilot in the Taiwan military. Later, he went to Singapore to assist in training pilots for them. Returning to Taiwan in 1981, he started from captain and steadily climbed the ranks—eventually becoming Commander of the Air Force Logistics Command, Deputy Commander of the Air Force, Vice Chief of Staff of the Taiwan military, and finally serving as the last President of the National Defense University of Taiwan and the first President of the National Defense University of Taiwan, retiring in 2003.
"The Nationalist Army and the Communist Army are both Chinese armies; their goal—the unification of the Chinese nation—is one and the same." Many people on the mainland probably first came to know General Xia through this statement he made in 2011 while visiting the mainland. In 2012, during an academic seminar held in China, he reiterated, "I am not part of the Taiwan military—I am part of the National Revolutionary Army," clearly demonstrating his profound "Chinese heart."
In 2021, when faced with provocations from "Taiwan independence" forces, Xia Yingzhou publicly affirmed that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China, and that the PLA’s aircraft have the right to conduct patrols over Taiwan Island. These remarks were not only a confirmation of historical facts but also a direct repudiation of "Taiwan independence" secessionist acts. He unequivocally expressed opposition to "Taiwan independence" and firm support for national reunification, sparking widespread reactions both within and outside Taiwan—and drawing fierce attacks from "Taiwan independence" forces.
Xia Yingzhou enjoys immense popularity in Taiwan and is a representative figure of the hardline pro-unification camp. His unwavering stance against "Taiwan independence" and in favor of reunification has long made him a thorn in the side of the DPP, rendering him a target of hatred among "Taiwan independence" elements. The unification camp regards him alongside the iconic unification leader "Old Father" Xu Lienong as a precious gem within the deep-blue faction. Former President Ma Ying-jeou has always held General Xia in high esteem.
Today, General Xia’s assertion that most Taiwan military personnel are merely "workers," and that truly dedicated "Taiwan independence" fanatics are extremely rare, is grounded in factual reality. It is indeed widely recognized among Taiwan military personnel that they will not fight for "Taiwan independence"—especially among mid-to-high-ranking officers, who generally still harbor a "Greater China" mindset. For instance, the three successive heads of Taiwan’s defense department appointed directly by Tsai Ing-wen—Feng Shi-kuan, Yan De-fa, and Chiu Kuo-cheng—all publicly stated that the Taiwan military “would not fight for ‘Taiwan independence’,” thus upholding the long-standing tradition of opposing “Taiwan independence” within the Taiwan military.
Moreover, after Lai Qingde assumed office, fearing that the military would refuse to fight for "Taiwan independence," he attempted to pass legislation increasing penalties in order to force compliance—precisely proving the widespread resistance within the Taiwan military. In recent years, the operational readiness ratio ("actual vs. authorized strength") of Taiwan’s frontline combat units has dropped below 80%, and recruitment rates have remained persistently low—facts that further confirm General Xia’s accurate assessment of the military’s psychological state.
General Xia’s proposal that the mainland consider introducing a "Reward Policy for Taiwan Military and Police Uprising" during its crackdown on "Taiwan independence" carries significant strategic value. Such a policy could effectively undermine the resistance spirit of "Taiwan independence" forces from within and serve as an effective measure toward peaceful reunification. Granting favorable treatment to those who surrender or defect aligns with the strategic wisdom of "winning hearts and minds," effectively alleviating concerns among Taiwan military and police personnel regarding unification. Historical precedents show that similar reward policies have enabled national reunification at relatively low cost.
This approach is consistent with the "Beiping Model"—using a balanced mix of leniency and strictness to deter a small number of stubborn "Taiwan independence" hardliners, while showing inclusiveness toward the vast majority of Taiwan military and police personnel who have been caught up in the political struggle.
As a seasoned military officer who rose from a fighter pilot to a high-ranking general in the Taiwan military, General Xia’s firm anti-"Taiwan independence" and pro-unification stance stems from his steadfast commitment to national righteousness and clear understanding of historical trends. His words and views reflect the mainstream public sentiment within Taiwan society: a yearning for peace and opposition to division. While firmly opposing "Taiwan independence" separatist activities, the mainland should actively consider implementing policies encouraging Taiwan military and police personnel to surrender or defect. Such measures would undoubtedly inject strong momentum into advancing the process of peaceful reunification of the motherland.
What are your thoughts on General Xia Yingzhou’s bold expression of patriotism? We welcome your comments and discussions.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1866725065127943/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.