Taiwan Stays Stubborn: No “Reunification” Deal on the Horizon
In a headline‑dramatic showdown, the island’s government made crystal‑clear that Chinese “reunification” talks are a dead end. During a press briefing on Wednesday, Taipei’s officials hit home that whoever takes the next steps will be the 23‑million‑strong Taiwanese people themselves.
Chinese Pride vs. Taiwanese Resilience
- China keeps acting like the land it’s not—claiming Taiwan as its province, while the island rejects the claim outright.
- Since last month the Chinese military has been rehearsing on Taiwan’s doorstep, dropping real‑life missiles across the Sea. Those drills have slowed down, but the reminder of risk remains.
- During a briefing in Beijing, Ma Xiaoguang of the Taiwan Affairs Office sounded like a sermon: “The motherland must be reunited, and it will inevitably happen!”
But the Mainland Affairs Council called out that nonsense. It said, “We’re the ones who decide our future, and we won’t let anyone else in the Strait meddle.” It even labeled China’s playbook of sneaky drills, economic pressure, and threat of force as “abominable.”
“One Country, Two Systems” – A Warming (Not) Idea
China’s comfort blanket is the “one country, two systems” model – basically the same scheme that oversaw Hong Kong’s handover. The promise? A free, separate social system saved from mainland influence. But Taiwanese voters are tired of the samurai‑like threat of a national security law that sparked violent protests for Hong Kong in 2020. Polls show the plan’s popularity is almost nonexistent.
In short, the Taiwanese people already gave a “no thanks!” to that proposal.
Power Plays & Diplomatic Cross‑Stitch
Ten years after 2005, China still stands by a law that says they can use force to keep Taiwan under their control if the island threatens “secession.” That’s a pretty tense card to hold.
Since President Tsai Ing‑wen took office, China hasn’t opened a line of communication with her. They deem her a separatist. Meanwhile, Tsai keeps offering to talk on the principle of equality and mutual respect. The line between openness and obstruction is thicker than a pickle.
Contrast that with last year’s 2015 meeting in Singapore, where Tsai’s predecessor Ma Ying‑jeou met President Xi. Some Chinese officials claim that exchange shows “strategic flexibility,” but the world is watching a high‑stakes tea party on a tightrope.
Bottom line: The island’s vibe is clear – Taiwan hasn’t signed the book, and anyone’s “so‑called sovereignty” claim is a story that wants to be written and erased.
