Source: China Times

17 October, 2018

 

Zhou Zhihuai (周志懷), a Mainland scholar on Taiwan affairs, opined that “Taiwan’s capability to negotiate with the Mainland with regard to favorable terms of self-management is weakening, while the capability and willingness of foreign powers to intervene in the affairs of the Taiwan Strait is also on the decline. In the past, the Mainland had stated that Taiwan could have control over its own party, government, and military in the event of a cross-Strait reunification, but similar terms such as these which allow relative freedom would be less likely in future cross-Strait negotiations.”  

 

Zhou pointed out that “the ‘golden cross’ for cross-Strait negotiations has passed. 2035 would be a key point in observing the changes to the state of affairs vis-à-vis the Taiwan Strait, as by that point in time, the Mainland’s national strength would have reached another level, and confidence in achieving a peaceful reunification would be heightened, with more adequate terms. As of now, the Mainland would have to prioritize dealing with the ‘Taiwan independence forces’, who continue to push the limits.”