Is It Time for a Cross-Strait Showdown?

 Is It Time for a Cross-Strait Showdown?

China Times Editorial (Taipei, Taiwan)

July 2, 2018

 Translation of an Excerpt

After losing a string of diplomatic partners, President Tsai Ing-wen seems to have embarked on the old road of yesteryear when Chen Shui-bian confronted the Mainland, not only deliberately calling the other side of the Strait "China," but also adopting a series of so-called countermeasures hindering cross-Strait exchanges, and actively cozying up to the US, willingly serving as a US bargaining chip in its conflict with China. Not too long ago, in an exclusive interview with Agence France-Presse, Tsai Ing-wen even publicly called upon the international community to counter together the Mainland's "hegemonic expansion." The media interprets that this was the strongest-worded conversation toward Beijing since she took office, and worried that the cross-Strait situation would gradually become radicalized and even careen out of control.

Some political observers have always believed that since President Tsai assumed office, although cross-Strait official exchanges were suspended, between the two leaders, Xi Jinping and Tsai Ing-wen, they have maintained a seemingly-existing and seemingly-nonexistent relationship of tacit understanding. However, in the recent period, cross-Strait hostilities seem to have been spiraling upward; this relationship of tacit understanding has been broken and cross-Strait relations have, in turn, entered into a time for a final showdown, necessitating cool-headed observation and judgment.

The Mainland has not chosen to have a cavalier showdown, but repeatedly reiterated that the fundamental policy towards Taiwan has been clear-cut and consistent, with sufficient internal support. First, in cross-Strait relations, the Mainland’s material and spiritual edge has been expanding. The Taiwan Affairs Office not long ago took the initiative to refer to the issue of cross-Strait competition for systems, quoting the words of Xi Jinping, that is, "the crucial factor determining the direction of cross-Strait relations is the development and progress of the motherland on the Mainland."

Second, the 18^th CCP National People’s Congress has gradually shaped the essence of Xi Jinping’s thoughts toward Taiwan, i.e., “the two sides of the Strait are like family” and “meeting of hearts and minds.” The report of the 19th CCP National People’s Congress linked the resolution of the Taiwan issue with the realization of the great renaissance of the Chinese nation in 2049, also showing that the Mainland still maintains strategic patience vis-à-vis cross-Strait relations, and is willing to give Taiwan leaders and the entire Taiwan society more time for pondering and adaptation.

Third, recent polls also indicate that at this juncture of awkward cross-Strait relations, Taiwan’s vox populi has been undergoing historic changes. The Taiwanese Public Opinion Foundation recently made public the result of a poll indicating that 49% of Taiwan people basically show goodwill toward the Mainland. This is the first time that goodwill toward the Mainland surpasses ill feelings on the part of Taiwan people. The same organization also indicated that in a survey at the beginning of this year, Taiwan people’s goodwill towards Xi Jinping surpassed that for Tsai Ing-wen. These positive feedbacks will undoubtedly encourage the Mainland to continue adopting stable policies toward Taiwan, and not seeking to rashly achieve success, or even killing the hen to get its eggs, as the saying goes.

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