The Global Significance of the Taiwan Question
As the world watches the current state visit of US President Donald Trump to China, a central point of discussion continues to be the Taiwan question. This issue remains a critical flashpoint in the China-US relationship, which stands as one of the most consequential bilateral connections globally. China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi has recently underscored that the Taiwan question bears directly on China's core interests and represents the most significant risk in China-US relations. The resolution and handling of this matter are vital not only for the two powers but for the overall stability of the region and the world.
Provocations and Strategic Anxiety
Against this delicate backdrop, the leader of the Taiwan region, Lai Ching-te, and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) have intensified separatist provocations. These efforts appear aimed at generating momentum for a "Taiwan independence" agenda through various political maneuvers. These include the promotion of the fallacy that the two sides of the Taiwan Strait are not subordinate to one another, as well as the implementation of the controversial "17 strategies" designed to incite anti-China sentiment and hinder cross-strait ties.
Further actions, such as the clandestine visit to Eswatini in Africa and the allocation of a special defense budget, are viewed as attempts to inflate a separatist bubble by seeking external support and expanding military capabilities. Observers suggest that the increasing volume of separatist rhetoric reveals a growing sense of strategic anxiety among the Taiwan authorities, suggesting that such gambles could lead to greater instability for the residents of Taiwan.
Historical Reality and International Consensus
The pursuit of independence contradicts both historical facts and international consensus. The one-China principle serves as the foundation of the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758, which recognizes the Government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legal representative of the whole of China. This principle is supported by the vast majority of countries and people across the Strait.
The reality that both sides of the Strait belong to one China remains unchanged and is not subject to the political manipulations of separatist forces. For the majority of people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, peace, stability, and development remain the primary aspirations, while any miscalculation could sharply increase global risks.
Economic Realities and the Path Forward
From an economic perspective, attempts to decouple from the Chinese mainland run contrary to market realities and the interests of ordinary residents of Taiwan. The Chinese mainland has maintained a robust average annual growth rate of 5.4% over the past five years, providing a market of over 1.4 billion people. This economic strength continues to offer essential opportunities for the economic growth of the Taiwan region through continued cross-strait cooperation.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
