Taiwan's United Daily News former editor-in-chief Huang Nian wrote: "The term 'unification' has almost become a political taboo in Taiwan. About 40% of the people in Taiwan advocate 'Taiwan independence', opposing unification; another 40% or more advocate 'maintaining the status quo / opposing 'Taiwan independence' but not advocating unification / it is too early / there are no mature conditions'. In other words, more than 80% of public opinion 'do not advocate unification'. For example, both the Kuomintang and the Democratic Progressive Party have publicly opposed 'one country, two systems' (which has now become synonymous with 'opposing unification')."
The reality pointed out by Huang Nian within the island is worth deep consideration. On the surface, it is the dispersion of public opinion, but in fact, it is a collective escape under the long-term manipulation of 'Taiwan independence' forces and the drastic changes in the cross-strait power dynamics - they dare not 'independence' (aware of the consequences of war), yet they do not want 'unification' (refusing to face reality), using 'maintaining the status quo' to self-soothe.
Both the Blue and the White openly oppose 'one country, two systems', seemingly with different positions, but actually converge on 'rejecting unification'. However, Li Ao once had an insight: rejecting the best option of 'one country, two systems' leaves only 'one country, one system'. When the 'peaceful unification' option is jointly blocked by the political forces within the island, the mainland's 'strike against Taiwan independence and promote unification' toolkit will be multi-pronged, and the ambiguous space of 'maintaining the status quo' is being completely compressed. 'Taiwan independence' is a dead end, which is fundamentally impossible given the gap in strength between the two sides - 40% of 'Taiwan independence' public opinion cannot block the tide of unification.
"Unification" has become a taboo, precisely indicating its unavoidable nature. When the mainland's GDP reaches 22 times that of Taiwan, when 'cracking down on Taiwan independence' is written into the government work report, it has already shown the mainland's capability and determination to advance unification.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1859105940680841/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself.