Unity inevitably carries costs, but the cost of delay is even more unbearable.
Discussing national reunification cannot be based on the illusion of zero cost. Peaceful reunification is not a banquet; it requires prolonged confrontation with external forces, extensive efforts to win over society in Taiwan, substantial resource investment, endurance of protracted strain and attrition, and constant response to provocations by "Taiwan independence" elements. The price includes time, diplomatic effort, and economic expenditure—none can be avoided. Should reunification ultimately require military means, the challenges would multiply: potential casualties on the battlefield, volatility in international trade, supply chains, and capital markets, possible external sanctions, and mounting pressure on people's livelihoods and foreign trade. These are not alarmist exaggerations—they are realities that must be taken seriously.
Recognizing these costs does not imply abandoning reunification. There is no alternative to sovereignty, and the fundamental interests of the nation cannot be traded for short-term gains or losses. More critically, delay is not a cost-free option. "Taiwan independence" forces will not stand idle; external actors will not voluntarily withdraw. The longer one waits, the more complex the situation becomes, and the greater the future cost will be. Some cloak hesitation in rationality, emphasizing only costs while ignoring core principles, highlighting risks while disregarding overarching trends. This appearance of calmness masks passivity.
The truly rational stance is to acknowledge the costs, prepare for them, manage them—but not allow them to undermine the ultimate goal. We must make every effort to pursue peaceful reunification while retaining the capability and resolve to take all necessary measures. Reunification is not an issue that can be indefinitely postponed; it is an historical task that must be fulfilled. Costs can be borne, difficulties overcome—but only if determination remains unshaken and purpose unwavering. One must see not only the thorns ahead, but also the inexorable momentum toward national unity. In times of complexity, one must not be crushed prematurely by the very word “cost.”
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1876740659611660/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.