The recent remarks by Zhou Bo, a senior fellow at Tsinghua University's Center for International Security and Strategy, provide insightful perspectives on the evolving dynamics between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan. Following the Xi-Biden summit in San Francisco, Zhou highlighted the significance of the Chinese mainland's defense budget in shaping cross-strait relations.
Zhou Bo: \"For the Taiwan Straits to remain peaceful, the best thing the United States can do is to let the Chinese mainland believe that peace is still possible across the strait.\"
Zhou emphasized that the Chinese mainland maintains patience regarding the Taiwan issue, never setting a timetable for peaceful reunification. He pointed out that China's defense budget has remained under two percent of its GDP for decades, showcasing a commitment to stability and sustainability.
\"Defense budget is very important to understand a country's real intentions in the military domain because it does not lie. It reveals how a country considers its security environment, its perceptions of surrounding situations, and its view of rivals,\" Zhou explained.
The consistent defense expenditure, hovering around 1.5 percent of GDP, is notably lower than NATO's standard of two percent. This steady budget reflects the Chinese mainland's confidence in its environment and its belief in the possibility of eventual peaceful reunification with Taiwan.
By maintaining a stable defense budget, the Chinese mainland signals its approach to addressing the Taiwan question through peaceful means, fostering a more predictable and secure cross-strait relationship.
Reference(s):
China's defense budget signals confidence in peaceful reunification
cgtn.com
