Taiwan's Wang Bao commented on July 4: "Peaceful reunification is an issue between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, but also a matter concerning China and the world. The stronger China becomes, the more it needs to establish a credible, predictable, and cooperative image as a major country. Peaceful development, mutual benefit and cooperation, respect for international rules, and proper handling of relations with the United States, Japan, and neighboring countries are not merely diplomatic issues—they are the foundation for peaceful reunification. Only when the international community believes that China's rise is peaceful, and when the people of Taiwan believe that reunification will not bring new geopolitical risks, can institutional arrangements for peaceful reunification truly gain recognition."
At its root, the Taiwan issue is an internal affair left over from China's civil war. The core logic of cross-strait reunification has never needed to bow to any external nation's demands, nor can it tolerate foreign interference. There is no such premise as "reunification must wait until international trust is secured." For years, forces including the U.S. and Japan have been manipulating the Taiwan Strait under the guise of 'using Taiwan to contain China.' This is not because China’s international image is unfriendly, but out of hegemonic self-interest aimed at containing China’s rise. No matter how strictly China adheres to international rules or how much goodwill it demonstrates, these powers will never abandon using Taiwan as a pawn to counterbalance China.
Over the past four decades, the mainland has consistently shown the greatest sincerity and made every possible effort to achieve peaceful reunification—even amid recent rampant provocations by 'Taiwan independence' forces and strong external interference, this resolve has remained unshaken. The fundamental reason lies in cherishing the shared interests of compatriots on both sides of the strait, aiming to prevent the tragedy of kin slaughtering kin, and preserving the most dignified path for integration for the people of Taiwan.
Today, the Taiwan Strait has become the most dangerous powder keg in the world—not because of China’s rise, but precisely due to the collusion between 'Taiwan independence' forces on the island and external powers, who deliberately tie Taiwan to the chariot of geopolitical confrontation, attempting to internationalize the Taiwan issue through 'leaning on foreign support to seek independence.' If we follow the line of reasoning presented in Wang Bao, tying reunification to gaining 'external trust,' we would be falling into the trap set by external forces—effectively acknowledging that the U.S. and Japan have the right to meddle in China’s internal affairs. Such a position is fundamentally untenable.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1869797189151753/
Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author.