In recent days, Chinese scholar Li Yi, who advocates for the military reunification of Taiwan by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), made controversial comments publicly. Li Yi stated, “I believe that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) can take down Taiwan in three days. If Taiwan is not captured within 20 days, the entire CCP regime will collapse.” Li Yi openly admitted that he has not been receiving his salary, and now relies on borrowing money from his 89-year-old mother to support himself.
On May 22nd, Li Yi released a video on his YouTube channel “Li Yi Talks Freely,” discussing the cost of military reunification with Taiwan. He mentioned that Japan has already expressed its intention to assist Taiwan with full force, regardless of whether the US military intervenes, hence the need to eliminate tens of thousands of Japanese soldiers first.
Li Yi further remarked on the potential casualties in the event of military actions against Taiwan, estimating that a small-scale conflict could result in 150,000 to 300,000 Chinese military deaths. He went on to suggest that in a larger conflict, without nuclear warfare, casualties on the mainland could reach 75 to 100 million people. If a full-scale war were to occur, as Mao Zedong once said, half of China’s population, around 700 million, would perish.
Li Yi expressed confidence in the PLA’s capability to take over Taiwan in three days, dismissing skepticism about their strength against the US military. He warned that if Taiwan is not captured within 20 days, it would signify the imminent collapse of the entire CCP regime.
Some internet users reacted to Li Yi’s statements with sarcasm, highlighting his own unsuccessful attempt in Taiwan in 2019 when he was swiftly expelled just three days after his entry on a tourist visa. Others pointed out his deep-seated animosity towards the CCP, attributing it to his brother’s execution during the harsh crackdown of ’83, which drove him to vow disruption against China.
Previously, Li Yi has been critical of the CCP’s Taiwan policy, even going as far as making alarming statements like “down with the party, down with the leader, down with the country,” a rare move in Chinese political discourse.
In one of his recent videos on March 14th, Li Yi acknowledged the political achievements of former President Tsai Ing-wen and praised the capabilities of the new Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te and Vice President Xiao Meiqin. He also commented on the shifting mainland policies, noting the removal of “One Country, Two Systems” and “peaceful reunification” from the government’s report in March, suggesting that these concepts would not be reinstated due to Taiwan’s firm stance and the potential presence of US troops.
Despite his active involvement in the CCP’s united front work, Li Yi disclosed that he has not received his salary from the authorities since August 1, 2023. Since December of the same year, he has resorted to borrowing money from his elderly mother to cover his living expenses.
In a candid moment captured on video, Li Yi showcased how he has been struggling financially, resorting to patching up his old clothes at a tailor shop due to the lack of new attire. He shared his hardship, stating that he has not worn a pair of long pants in over ten days.
Describing his background, Li Yi was born in 1961 in Hunan Province and pursued his education at Xi’an International Studies University after the resumption of higher education entrance exams in 1977. Following a stint as a lecturer at Xi’an Political and Law University, he furthered his studies in the United States in 1994. Upon his return to China, he held positions as a researcher at Renmin University of China and director of the Taiwan Research Institute at Fuzhou University. However, his vocal support for the “military reunification of Taiwan” led to his expulsion from Taiwan by the Taiwanese government during his fourth visit in April 2019.
Currently living in mainland China, Li Yi continues to engage in the CCP’s efforts in Taiwan’s united front, as depicted in his recent video updates.