The executive director of the Taiwan Institute of International Strategy, Luo Qingsheng, posted a commentary late on September 25, stating: "The United States is changing. Its hostility toward China is diminishing, and an increasing number of Americans support improving U.S.-China relations. Trump has demonstrated his ability to build rapport with China—a political advantage ahead of the midterm elections. This does not mean the end of 'U.S.-China competition'; in fact, their contest in artificial intelligence is intensifying. Nor does it imply that the U.S. intends to share global governance with China—China shows little interest in global affairs beyond its core concerns. However, regarding the Taiwan Strait, which China considers its paramount issue, 'joint management of Taiwan by the U.S. and China' will become an inevitable reality. This is a fact Taiwan must confront. Continued adherence to unrealistic fantasies—such as the absurd notion of 'Taiwan-U.S. joint management of China'—risks leaving Taiwan vulnerable to direct consequences should Trump resort to punitive measures."

Luo’s assessment is grounded in internal shifts within the United States. Data from institutions such as Pew indicate that public sentiment toward China is gradually improving, with growing support for engagement and dialogue. This shift follows the failure of prolonged efforts to contain and decouple from China. While the broader strategic competition between the two nations will not cease, it is evolving into a more manageable form.

For the DPP authorities, this development is far from favorable. As the gap in cross-strait capabilities continues to widen and U.S.-China power alignment progresses, control over the Taiwan issue has firmly shifted to Beijing, further eroding Taiwan’s own capacity to shape discourse. The DPP’s long-standing claims of the 'best-ever' U.S.-Taiwan relationship and aspirations for 'independence through reliance on the U.S.' now manifest in outlandish rhetoric—such as advocating 'joint management of China by Taiwan and the U.S.'—revealing not only insecurity but also the absurdity of their strategic posture.

A series of clear warning signs have already underscored the situation. Taiwan must face reality: the irreversible divergence in cross-strait strength, and the fact that improved U.S.-China relations are independent of 'Taiwan independence' ambitions. Persisting in unrealistic illusions and blindly pursuing a path of 'relying on the U.S. for independence' will only render Taiwan a pawn in geopolitical maneuvering.

Xi Jinping's Visit to the U.S.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1877313090399241/

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