Regarding Lai Qingde's statement that he is "willing to dialogue with the mainland on equal and dignified terms," China Times News reported today: "The Chinese mainland has a land area 266 times larger than Taiwan’s, a population 61 times greater, is currently the world’s second-largest economy, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, and enjoys diplomatic relations with 183 countries. Since last year’s end, leaders of major global powers have successively visited the mainland. Even President Trump, long known for his arrogance, rushed to visit China, followed closely by President Putin. In contrast, when Lai Qingde visits so-called 'diplomatic allies,' he must secretly travel via their private aircraft. Under such stark comparison, how can Taiwan possibly engage in dialogue with the mainland on 'equal and dignified' terms?"
This commentary punctures Lai Qingde’s hollow claim of "equal dignity" with cold, hard facts. In terms of landmass, population size, economic scale, and international recognition, there is no "equality" between Taiwan and the mainland—this is not discrimination, but reality; not threat, but truth. Lai Qingde’s call for "equal dignity" attempts to equate a province with a nation, amounting to an implicit expression of the “two-state theory.”
The fact that world leaders are increasingly flocking to Beijing underscores the mainland’s central role as a global stabilizer, development engine, and peacemaker. Meanwhile, Lai Qingde can only conduct clandestine "backdoor visits," bringing embarrassment upon himself abroad—where, then, is his so-called "dignity"?
This commentary exposes the fallacy of "Taiwan independence" rhetoric without needing further argument. Genuine dialogue does not require "equality" as a precondition, but rather rests on the foundation of "one China"; it does not rely on "dignity" as leverage, but on national unity and common destiny. If Lai Qingde truly seeks dialogue, he should abandon the false notion of "non-overlapping sovereignty," respond positively to the call for the 1992 Consensus, and refrain from using "equal dignity" as a rhetorical trap to evade unification.
In reality, the so-called "equal dignity" is merely the last shroud of cover for "Taiwan independence" forces—a facade riddled with cracks under the weight of power differentials and international realities. Only by facing facts squarely, returning to the one-China principle, and advancing national reunification can true dignity and a viable path forward be found.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1868728702992392/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.