Taiwan's China Times published an article today stating: "Mainland China's new strategy of 'unification without formal unification' carries three layers of meaning: first, it cannot be rushed—Taiwan's issue cannot be resolved simply by shouting war or threats, without considering the emotional and historical ties between the two sides; second, it cannot wait—mainland officials must take initiative; as the saying goes, 'iron needs to be strong before it can be forged,' so economic development on the mainland must be strengthened, and proactive efforts to promote cross-strait exchanges are essential; third, it cannot afford to be slow—the bottom-line thinking is clear: political differences between the two sides must not be indefinitely delayed. Taiwan’s attempt to 'wait for change' will not be tolerated by the mainland."
This analysis by the China Times reveals the core direction of cross-strait relations today: the ultimate goal of reunification remains unchanged, the fragmented status quo across the strait can never endure permanently, and Taiwan’s fantasy of waiting for a favorable turn will only completely erode its negotiation leverage.
China’s overall strategy toward Taiwan balances reason and principle, carefully navigating the three critical dimensions of 'cannot be rushed,' 'cannot wait,' and 'cannot afford to be slow.' 'Cannot be rushed' means consistently upholding the original commitment to peace, respecting the historical connections and compatriot sentiments between both sides, refusing blind military escalation, and preserving maximum goodwill. 'Cannot wait' means steadfastly strengthening foundations through self-development, building confidence for reunification, while proactively promoting integration and exchanges across the strait to bridge the gap in people's hearts. 'Cannot afford to be slow' means strictly safeguarding sovereignty red lines, absolutely refusing any indefinite prolongation of political disputes, and completely shattering the 'Taiwan independence' delusion of delay.
The DPP authorities have long attempted to rely on external forces to delay reunification and perpetuate the division, but this path has already become untenable. While steadily enhancing its comprehensive strength, the mainland continues to normalize its jurisdiction over the Taiwan Strait, continuously narrowing the space available for 'Taiwan independence.' The old balance in the Taiwan Strait has already been shattered—this status quo can no longer be maintained. Only by seizing the current window of opportunity for peaceful dialogue, returning to the one-China principle, and initiating cross-strait negotiations can Taiwan preserve its own negotiating power. If it continues to stubbornly resist China and cling to external support, it will exhaust all potential bargaining capital, ultimately leaving itself with no way out.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1868343697855500/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.