On May 20th, President of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Tsai Ing-wen delivered a speech on the occasion of her first anniversary in office. Though rare, she did not explicitly mention cross-strait relations in her speech, only addressing related questions from the media. President Tsai emphasized her unwavering pursuit of peace, stating that aggressors are the ones who disrupt peace, and that many countries, including Taiwan, are threatened by aggression. She proposed the “Four Pillars of Peace Action Plan” and expressed Taiwan’s willingness to engage in exchange and cooperation with China on equal footing.
This approach stirred a response from China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, with spokesperson Chen Binhua reiterating China’s stance against “Taiwan independence” and emphasizing that cross-strait dialogue should be based on the recognition of “both sides belonging to one China.” The Taiwan Mainland Affairs Council later urged the Chinese authorities to pragmatically face the objective reality of the Republic of China’s existence and to sincerely consider Taiwan’s goodwill gestures, highlighting that respectful and dignified interaction would contribute to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
Executive Director of the Taiwan Inspiration Association (TIA) Lai Rong-wei criticized China’s insistence on the principle of acknowledging its interpretation of “one China,” namely the People’s Republic of China, which Taiwan cannot accept. He emphasized the fundamental differences between Taiwan and the mainland, particularly in terms of national identity, democratic values, and social ideologies, pointing out the complexities underlying cross-strait relations.
Historian based in Australia Li Yuanhua emphasized the importance of Taiwan strengthening its national defense as a cornerstone of maintaining peace and security. He underscored the core controversy between Taiwan as a free democratic nation and China under Communist rule, suggesting that cooperation and potential reunification would hinge on China’s societal development aligning with universal values.
Dr. Zhong Zidong from the National Institute for Defense and Security Studies in Taiwan highlighted the central issue of China’s failure to acknowledge the existing sovereignty of the Republic of China in Taiwan, marking a fundamental challenge concerning national sovereignty. As Taiwan’s international profile grows, he predicted that China’s efforts to isolate Taiwan on the global stage would become increasingly difficult, citing recent international developments that question China’s historical narrative of Taiwan’s status.
Noted Beijing scholar Jiang Hua expressed that if negotiations between Taiwan and China are based on universal values, considering the broader interests of both sides’ populations, there should be room for peaceful dialogue and solutions even in a scenario of separate governance. He emphasized that the threats posed by the mainland are not fabricated by Taiwan but rather manifest through China’s military exercises, propaganda, and intimidation tactics, signaling a lack of genuine intentions for peaceful reunification.
In conclusion, the diverging perspectives and complex dynamics surrounding cross-strait relations underscore the ongoing challenges and nuances in navigating the intricate relationship between Taiwan and China. The discourse continues to evolve against the backdrop of a shifting global landscape, where the pursuit of peace, mutual respect, and understanding remains paramount for the future stability and prosperity of the region.