(Fourth in a Series of "Let’s Be Candid”) Let Us Not Fear the Mainland: Truly Welcoming Reunification

 (Fourth in a Series of "Let’s Be Candid”)

Let Us Not Fear the Mainland: Truly Welcoming Reunification

China Times Editorial (Taipei, Taiwan, ROC)

March 29, 2017
 Translation of an Except

According to a long-term study conducted by the Institute of Sociology at the Academia Sinica, titled “Current Options for Reunification or Independence” in Taiwan society, as much as 46.4% of the public chose "independence"; however, as to the "expected future trend for reunification or independence," on the other hand, those who believe "Taiwan will be reunified" constitutes the majority, reaching as much as 49.7%, while those believing in "independence" being reduced to only 35.9%. This shows an apparent gap between subjective expectations and objective perceptions.

This long-term study also shows that the "Mainland factor" has become an important factor in influencing Taiwan’s political development; public opinion has realized the big picture that “reunification” is Taiwan’s ultimate destiny.

How to let the people of Taiwan have a sense of security, then establishing a sense of trust, the Mainland must demonstrate to the people on Taiwan with actions. At the present, the people across the Strait are increasingly mired in rivalry, even hatred. The Mainland must not radicalize or intensify this rivalry; more importantly, it should strive to ameliorate this rivalry. The mistrust between the governments may be temporary; the ruling parties may turn over while repairs to the fissures between people, once emerged, often encounter insurmountable difficulties, like repairing a broken mirror.

Secondly, to find a “mode to get along with the Republic of China,” means that the Mainland must give the people on Taiwan a certain space in the international community; the rights of the overseas Taiwanese must be protected, and it must find a mode to deal with the DPP. The significance of dealing with the DPP lies not only in maintaining cross-Strait relations of interchanges, but more importantly, letting the people on Taiwan see the Mainland’s good faith, winning the trust of the people on Taiwan. The diehard Taiwan independence forces are in reality very limited; the true mentality of the people on Taiwan is to safeguard the rights to be masters of their own homeland. The more respect the Mainland has for Taiwan's society and political system, the more quickly there will be a meeting of minds across the Strait. 

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