Teacher Advocates 'Zero Military Purchases,' Angering Chinese Netizens Who Accuse Her of Dragging All Taiwanese Down

The recent comments by Ms. Ou Kuei-chih, a teacher at Taipei's esteemed Beiyi Girls' High School, have ignited a firestorm of controversy, revealing deep divisions in how Taiwan perceives its relationship with mainland China. In an interview with CCTV, a state-run Chinese media outlet, Ms. Ou controversially stated her support for "zero military purchases," asserting that Taiwan is Chinese and that acknowledging this truth would usher in peace, thereby rendering military expenditure unnecessary.

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You want to be Chinese, go by yourself. Don't drag all Taiwanese people down with you. Understand?

This perspective, which aligns with Beijing's long-held narrative of Taiwan being an inalienable part of China, has been met with fierce backlash from the Taiwanese public. Netizens, in a powerful display of national sentiment, have lambasted Ms. Ou, with many expressing disgust and disbelief that an educator could espouse such views. Accusations of betrayal and a lack of understanding of Taiwan's democratic values and sovereignty have been rampant across social media platforms.

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If Taiwanese people admit this, then peace will come, and not a single cent of military spending will be needed.

From our vantage point at Liberty Times, Ms. Ou's remarks are not just a personal opinion but a stark reflection of the ideological battles being waged within Taiwan. While some may seek closer ties with the mainland, the overwhelming sentiment among the Taiwanese populace is a strong affirmation of their distinct identity and democratic way of life. The public outcry underscores a collective rejection of the idea that acknowledging Chinese identity will lead to peace; instead, it is seen as a surrender of hard-won freedoms and self-determination. This incident highlights the critical importance of education in shaping national consciousness and the profound impact that cross-strait political rhetoric can have on public discourse in Taiwan.

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Is 'anti-China to protect Taiwan' really protecting Taiwan? Only peace can protect Taiwan. If Taiwan wants to buy military equipment and also wants peace, how is that possible?