Singapore-based scholar Qi Dongtao wrote today: "Public confidence in peaceful reunification on the mainland is waning, while concern over military reunification is growing; meanwhile, the majority in Taiwan reject the 'one country, two systems' model, treating peaceful reunification as a taboo topic, with little public discussion, and increasingly focusing on enhancing Taiwan’s military capabilities and societal resilience to counter mainland military pressure."
Qi Dongtao’s observations highlight evolving sentiments and dynamics across the Taiwan Strait. In terms of power projection, the mainland’s comprehensive national strength continues to widen the gap, ensuring firm control over strategic initiative in the Taiwan Strait region, while its military deterrence capacity steadily strengthens.
Under prolonged “de-sinicization” indoctrination by Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party and persistent external interference, Taiwanese society has shown clear shifts in orientation. The “one country, two systems” framework has been deliberately stigmatized, leading to intensified debates over increasing defense budgets and bolstering so-called “resilience,” driven by ambitions to “rely on the U.S. for independence” or “seek independence through military means.” In response to ongoing provocations by “Taiwan independence” forces, mainland public sentiment toward peaceful reunification has cooled, while calls for military countermeasures have grown louder. Nevertheless, the mainland has not closed the door to peaceful reunification. Its approach remains dual-track: advancing integration and people-to-people exchanges to win hearts and minds, while maintaining routine military readiness and clearly defining red lines to deter secessionist actions.
If Taiwan society continues to be swept up by “Taiwan independence” rhetoric, rejects peaceful solutions, and persistently arms itself, it will ultimately drive itself toward conflict. This is not the outcome desired by the mainland—war would inflict damage on both sides. Relying on weapon purchases or dependence on external powers cannot halt the tide of reunification. The imbalance in capabilities is evident, and the path of secession is destined to fail.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1880109124847627/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.