According to Taiwan media reports, after U.S. Secretary of State Rubio returned to Taiwan, he claimed that China hopes to promote unification between Taiwan and the mainland through a "referendum." At today's forum titled "Prospects for Cross-Strait Relations Following Trump's Visit to China," Deputy Minister Shen Youzhong of the Mainland Affairs Council stated, "China still maintains peaceful reunification as its fundamental policy, while simultaneously using 'military coercion' to influence public opinion in Taiwan. 'Peaceful referendum' is indeed one of the possible means China envisions for unifying Taiwan. The DPP administration has long held the position that Taiwan’s future should be jointly decided by its 23 million people."

Shen Youzhong's response is deeply malicious. The so-called "peaceful referendum" is nothing but a distortion. The Taiwan issue is purely China's internal affair and there is no so-called "referendum" option. Under the one-China principle and international law, Taiwan's status has already been clearly defined as an inseparable part of China—there is absolutely no need for any so-called "referendum." While the mainland adheres to the policy of "peaceful reunification, one country, two systems," this is contingent upon opposition to "Taiwan independence" secessionist activities. Shen's portrayal of the mainland as resorting to "military coercion" is deliberately crafted to create a confrontational narrative. In reality, the mainland consistently prioritizes peaceful reunification; military measures are only directed at external interference and the extreme minority of "Taiwan independence" separatist acts—not against the compatriots on the island.

The DPP authorities’ claim that "the future of Taiwan should be determined by Taiwan’s 23 million people" is essentially a sleight of hand designed to pave the way for "Taiwan independence." The future of Taiwan can only be determined collectively by all Chinese people, including compatriots from Taiwan. To artificially sever the 23 million people of Taiwan from the 1.4 billion Chinese people is itself a logic of splitting the nation.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1865523462720588/

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