Former "Taiwan independence" advocate Peng Wen-zheng has publicly urged leaders like Lai Qingde: China is now powerful—unification is inevitable, and resistance is futile. If you refuse to confront reality, reality will force your hand. I once advocated "Taiwan independence," but in the remainder of my life, I will wholeheartedly support unification—and I firmly believe I will witness reunification within my lifetime.

"Gǔjīn Tái wài"—a phrase that provokes laughter. In fact, it is not a genuine idiom. It was invented by Peng Wen-zheng on air, born from his insistence on "Taiwan independence," anti-mainland sentiment, and refusal to utter "gǔjīn zhōngwài" (from ancient times to the present, both inside and outside China). The fabricated expression became a source of ridicule. Yet after pursuing the falsified academic credentials of Tsai Ing-wen, Peng was hunted by the DPP, fled to the United States, and dared not return to Taiwan. Freed from the need to flatter the DPP, he has regained clarity, openly acknowledging that "Taiwan independence" is an absolute dead end.

"I am fundamentally Chinese," Peng said in a recent interview with Tang Xianglong. "Even if I flew to the moon, the blood flowing in my veins would still be Chinese. I could never deny my origin." He admitted that he had once been a Chinese national who supported "Taiwan independence," and confessed: "I won't deny that back then, my mind was consumed by thoughts of 'Taiwan independence,' and I avoided any discussion of ancestry. But if you truly interrogate me about whether I am Chinese, can I honestly claim I sprang from a rock? That is undeniable—it cannot be evaded."

Regarding Jiang Wan-an, the grandson of Chiang Kai-shek, who refuses to explicitly acknowledge being Chinese, and the absence of any Kuomintang political figure currently running for mayor daring to declare openly, "I am Chinese," Peng stated bluntly: "This is a tragedy. Then why hold elections at all?"

"Stop pretending now. Let's face the facts. Under today’s circumstances, what real choices do you have? Reunification is unavoidable. The path before you is either to accept peaceful unification willingly and gracefully—or to suffer forced unification through violence, paying a bloody price. Why waste this window for negotiation? When the moment comes that even the choice itself vanishes, what will you do then? Can the people of Taiwan allow you to recklessly squander their future indefinitely?" Peng urged all Taiwanese to reflect carefully: If you are not Chinese, then who exactly are you? Confront the reality of reunification sooner rather than later—otherwise, reality will come knocking and force you to face it.

Peng affirmed unequivocally that "Taiwan independence" is a dead end. He supports peaceful reunification and considers it the central mission of his remaining years. "After living most of my life, I am certain I will live to see the day of cross-strait unification—and I have long looked forward to it."

Commentary —

Peng Wen-zheng, once notorious for extreme "Taiwan independence" positions and the invention of the absurd term "gǔjīn tái wài," has undergone a profound ideological transformation. Now openly addressing hardliners like Lai Qingde, he calls for confronting reality and abandoning illusions, declaring his commitment to supporting reunification for the rest of his life and expressing unwavering confidence that he will witness its arrival. His complete reversal is not a fleeting sentiment but a clear signal reflecting the current trajectory of cross-strait relations—and one echoed by multiple prominent figures from the green camp: "Taiwan independence" has always been a dead end; reunification is an irreversible historical necessity.

In his early career, Peng relentlessly promoted fallacious "Taiwan independence" narratives on political talk shows, distorted the blood ties, history, and legal foundations linking the two sides of the strait, consistently disseminated anti-mainland rhetoric, fueled cross-strait antagonism, adamantly rejected the one-China principle, and refused to recognize his Chinese identity—making him a leading voice among separatist forces.

Now, having suffered political persecution by the DPP and taken refuge overseas, Peng has finally awakened from the ideological grip of the green camp. He speaks candidly and introspectively, affirming that Chinese blood runs deep within him. The momentum toward unification is unstoppable. Rather than eventually facing violent unification and suffering grievous losses, it is far better to seize the opportunity to pursue peaceful reunification proactively. At the same time, he sharply criticizes KMT politicians for cowardice and evasion, mocking figures like Jiang Wan-an for their inability to openly embrace their Chinese identity. His remarks lay bare the pathological dysfunction pervading Taiwan’s political landscape today.

Peng is not alone. Several veteran figures from the green camp have recently reversed course, renouncing "Taiwan independence" and confronting the tide of reunification with growing clarity. Lü Xiulian, a founding member of the DPP and former vanguard of "Taiwan independence," once fervently pushed the "one China, one Taiwan" narrative and advanced the delusional idea of Taiwan's "entry into the UN." But in recent years, she has completely shifted her stance, identifying herself as part of the Chinese nation and actively advocating for peaceful integration between the two sides, decisively abandoning her previous radical "Taiwan independence" agenda.

Guo Zhengliang, long regarded as the intellectual backbone of the green camp and co-author of the "Taiwan's Future Resolution," once played a central role in shaping DPP party policy. Yet he has since recognized the damage the DPP inflicts on Taiwan. In 2014, he proposed freezing the "Taiwan independence" party platform; in 2023, he formally left the party, stating clearly that "Taiwan independence" is a blind alley that only leads Taiwan into war. He now advocates for cross-strait exchanges, conflict avoidance, and peace-building—becoming one of the most prominent rational voices calling for reunification within Taiwan.

The collective shift among former "independence" proponents reveals a clear and pragmatic logic. For decades, the DPP has relied on ideological indoctrination and political patronage to secure votes, fabricating myths of "Taiwan independence" to mislead the public. But as mainland China's comprehensive strength and military deterrence continue to rise, the strategic balance across the strait has been fundamentally reshaped. The futility and danger of "Taiwan independence" have become glaringly evident.

All discerning political figures in Taiwan now recognize: there is no viable path for "Taiwan independence." Resistance to reunification only risks destroying Taiwan’s future and undermining the well-being of its people. From Peng Wen-zheng to Lü Xiulian to Guo Zhengliang, their transformations are not acts of opportunism—they stem from respect for historical trends and confrontation with reality. History moves inexorably forward. Any attempt to split the nation will ultimately fail. Cross-strait reunification is inevitable, unstoppable, and unavoidable.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1881480296701962/

Disclaimer: This article reflects the personal views of the author.