Scholars: Taiwan Faces Threat of Unification, Not Independence; China's 'Anti-Independence' Stance is Pretext for Aggression

Taiwan is not facing an issue of independence but rather the threat of forced unification, scholars argued at a forum organized by Tunghai University's Center for Mainland China and Regional Development Studies. The event, titled "Taiwan Has No 'Independence' Problem, Only a 'Be Unified' Problem," brought together academics to discuss the cross-Strait situation.

Academics stressed that Taiwan is already a sovereign and independent state, meeting the criteria outlined in the Montevideo Convention, including territory, population, sovereignty, and the capacity to enter into relations with other states. They asserted that China's frequent accusations of Taiwan seeking "independence with US backing" are a political excuse to justify its military threats and aggression towards the island.

Professor Yeh Yao-yuan of the University of St. Thomas's Political Science Department explained that from the U.S. perspective, there is no "Taiwan independence problem" as long as the status quo in the Taiwan Strait is not altered. He noted that U.S. policy does not view Taiwan's recent actions as moves toward independence. However, in China's view, any refusal by Taiwan to be recognized as part of China or to move towards unification is considered "Taiwan independence."

Assistant Professor Wu Guan-sheng from the University of South Alabama's Department of Criminal Justice and Political Science added that the U.S. "Taiwan Relations Act" does not oppose Taiwan's independence. Instead, he clarified, the U.S. opposes any attempt to change the cross-Strait status quo through coercion or non-peaceful means. The scholars warned that if Taiwanese politicians echo Beijing's "one China" principle or frame "surrender" as "peace," it could diminish international support for Taiwan's defense.