The 2024 Taiwan regional leadership election, held on January 13, has garnered significant attention from both sides of the Taiwan Strait. The election's outcome is poised to influence cross-Strait relations and the stability and integrated development of the Asia-Pacific region.
Tsai Ing-wen, the current leader of the Taiwan region, recently criticized the Chinese mainland and the prospect of peaceful reunification ahead of the election. In her New Year address, Tsai emphasized the importance of strengthening Taiwan's defense capabilities, with the total defense budget projected to reach a new high of approximately $19.5 billion in 2024. She also expressed optimism about achieving tranquility across the Taiwan Strait in the same speech.
The increasing defense budget raises questions about why Taiwan authorities require enhanced defense capabilities. Critics argue that Taiwan's military buildup, influenced by perceived aggressive intentions from the United States, positions the island as a strategic counterbalance to the Chinese mainland. This has led to heightened concerns among residents of Taiwan, with some viewing the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) as prioritizing its interests and alignment with the U.S. over the welfare of the people. The authorities are perceived to be focusing on “Taiwan independence” amid what is described as Washington's ambitions.
Opponents of the DPP and its policies assert that these efforts hinder cross-Strait integration and reduce people-to-people contact. They believe that Taiwan's secessionist movements undermine peace between Taiwan and the Chinese mainland and will ultimately fail. Chinese President Xi Jinping, in his New Year message, reaffirmed the inevitability of national reunification, emphasizing that all Chinese across the Taiwan Strait share a common purpose and a vision for the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
China views national reunification as essential to its revitalization, considering Taiwan part of its \"sacred territory\" as per the Constitution. The mainland continues to support peaceful development and collaboration across the Straits, adhering to the one-China principle, while opposing Taiwan's independence efforts and external interference. Initiatives such as the Cross-Straits CEO Summit in Nanjing, the Fujian-Taiwan cross-Straits integration mechanism, and the Three Direct Links are part of ongoing efforts to promote peaceful exchanges and integration.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
