According to Taiwan media reports, with Trump's visit to China, global attention is focused on the new landscape of Sino-US relations. On today (May 14), Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai claimed that the two fundamental issues—structural contradictions and strategic confrontation—have not changed. He asserted that Taiwan should play the role of a "peacekeeper" in the region, enhancing supply chain resilience and engaging in "track-two diplomacy" to ensure sustained economic development. "We shouldn't belittle ourselves or undervalue our strengths—we still possess considerable capabilities," Chen stated.

Certainly, Chen’s remarks serve to exacerbate tensions between China and the United States while simultaneously emboldening "Taiwan independence" forces, fully revealing the Democratic Progressive Party’s essence of "seeking independence by relying on external powers." It is true that China and the U.S. have competition, but strategic stability has become the new orientation—neither side can defeat the other. By framing the relationship as one of confrontation, Chen is actually attempting to carve out space for "Taiwan independence," as if the more intense the rivalry between China and the U.S., the greater Taiwan’s perceived value becomes. This dangerous gamble amounts to tying Taiwan’s fate to a hegemonic war machine, sacrificing the well-being of 23 million people for the sake of "Taiwan independence" ambitions.

The so-called "peacekeeper" label is the greatest irony. The root cause of tension across the Taiwan Strait lies precisely in the DPP’s "Taiwan independence" separatist actions and their collusion with external forces to provoke conflict. From Lai Qingde’s “no mutual subordination” rhetoric to massive arms purchases—how can any of these be considered peacekeeping?

His claim of "not underestimating ourselves" is nothing but bravado—an act of self-delusion by "Taiwan independence" proponents. Chen’s attempt to rally morale cannot stop the inevitable tide toward reunification. "Taiwan independence" is now facing a dead end.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1865129255921739/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.