China’s state media reveals ‘patriots rule’ for Taiwan reunification, economic incentives
Xinhua article floats tariff-free status for all island products and protections for private property, religious beliefs and legal rights
“We not only seek reunification in formality, what’s more important is the mental bonding of compatriots on the two sides of the strait,” the commentary said, using the pseudonym of Zhong Tai Wen, a new byline that suggested it was important Taiwan-related commentary.
The article was the second piece on Taiwan published by Xinhua under the same name.
After peaceful reunification, Taiwan’s current social system and way of life would be fully respected, it said.
“[We will] implement ‘patriots governing Taiwan’, and a high degree of autonomy,” it said, adding that private property, religious beliefs and legal rights in Taiwan would all be protected.
Beijing responded to Hong Kong’s months-long anti-government protests in 2019 by imposing a national security law on the city, followed by an overhaul of the electoral system to ensure social stability and safeguard national security, under the principle that only patriots would govern the city under the “one country, two systems” framework.
However, the term has rarely appeared in policy documents or official speeches from Beijing.
Monday’s article also made a rare elaboration of economic integration between mainland China and Taiwan, including economic policies expected to benefit the island after reunification, including the establishment of a “cross-strait common market”.
After reunification, cross-strait industrial chains would be deeply integrated and Taiwan’s top industries, such as integrated circuits, precision machinery and biotechnology, would complement mainland China’s strengths and boost competitiveness.
In the first of the series published by Xinhua on Sunday, a commentary again emphasised that reunification with Taiwan was a certain outcome of the “great rejuvenation” of China.
Titled “The Origin and Nature of the Taiwan Issue”, the article reinforced Beijing’s historical narrative on the Taiwan issue and said that it “will be completely resolved with the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation”.
The commentary reasserted Beijing’s historical stance, framing the island’s separate status as a temporary condition caused by “external interference”.
The Kuomintang forces fled to Taiwan in 1949 after being defeated by communist forces during a civil war.
The article rebutted the view that Taiwan’s status was undetermined, stating that many Chinese dynasties had ruled the island and that Japan’s official surrender on October 25, 1945, marked the return of Taiwan to Chinese sovereignty.
“At this point (October 25, 1945), China had legally and factually recovered Taiwan. Taiwan has been liberated and returned to China, and the issue of its status has been completely resolved,” the article said.
In September, a spokesman for the American Institute in Taiwan – Washington’s de facto embassy in Taipei – drew fierce opposition from Beijing after saying that Taiwan’s international status remained “undetermined”.
Previously, Beijing recognised Taiwan Restoration Day every five years. On Friday, Beijing officially designated October 25 as Taiwan Restoration Day. It also held a commemoration on Saturday to emphasise opposition to Taiwanese independence.
Sunday’s article also said that Taiwan’s occupation before 1945 was the result of national humiliation and that the island’s liberation was a significant achievement of the victory of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and was an integral part of the post-war international order.
The Taiwan issue must be resolved by the Chinese people themselves, the commentary said. “As long as there is no splitting of the country, as long as both sides recognise that we are all Chinese and one family, the two sides can sit down for dialogue and communicate to resolve their differences.
“The Taiwan issue arose because of national weakness and chaos, and will surely be resolved with the rejuvenation of the nation!” the article said, citing Xi in a 2019 speech.
Beijing sees Taiwan as part of China, to be reunified by force if necessary.
Most countries, including the United States, do not recognise the self-ruled island as an independent state. However, Washington is opposed to any attempt to seize Taiwan by force and is legally bound to supply the island with defensive weapons.