Scholars- We need to be wary of the Taiwan authorities’ attempts to challenge and undermine the one-China pattern of the international community
During a seminar held on October 26 in Shiyan, Hubei Province, Qiu Changgen, the director of the Institute for Cross-Strait Communication and Regional Development at East China Normal University, shared his insights on the challenges facing Taiwan’s reunification with China. He emphasized that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration struggles to shift the international community’s stance on the One China principle, noting that 183 countries have established diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China (PRC), and most nations do not solely focus on “power” or “hegemony”. However, he cautioned that the international influence on the Taiwan issue is becoming increasingly severe.
The seminar, titled “National Unity and National Rejuvenation,” was co-hosted by the Zhongshan Cultural Exchange Association, Central China Normal University, and the Hubei Strait Exchange Promotion Association. Scholars, including Qiu, discussed the current challenges in garnering international support and understanding for China’s unification efforts, along with potential countermeasures.
Qiu advocated for making clear to the global community the importance of China’s stance against Taiwan independence and foreign interference. He explained that the mainland’s military, legal, economic, and diplomatic measures targeting these secessionist forces are firmly rooted in the pursuit of national unity. He suggested reinforcing the commitment of neighboring countries to the One China principle and leveraging platforms like the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), East Asia Summit, and Boao Forum for Asia to bolster support for China’s anti-independence and pro-unification initiatives.
Postdoctoral fellow Tian Ci from Sun Yat-sen University added that although separatist forces are attempting to internationalize the Taiwan issue and challenge the One China principle, the mainland has solid grounds to enhance international understanding and support for Chinese reunification.
Tian asserted that the One China principle remains widely recognized internationally, with a strong moral and legal basis for China’s pursuit of global support. He argued that the notion of “undetermined status of Taiwan” is historically inaccurate and lacks legal foundation. Most countries are reluctant to interfere in Taiwan affairs for fear of jeopardizing their relations with China, and the DPP’s provocative actions undermine stability in the Taiwan Strait, helping the international community recognize the threat posed by separatist forces to regional peace.
In light of this, Tian recommended relentlessly striving for a peaceful reunification and enhancing relevant discussions to maintain strategic initiative and international narrative authority on the Taiwan issue. He also proposed establishing mechanisms to counter sanctions, interference, and extraterritorial jurisdiction related to Taiwan, thereby raising the cost for external forces involved in the Taiwan issue.
