Taiwan to prosper from peaceful reunification

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Following a peaceful cross-Strait reunification and backed by a strong motherland, Taiwan will no longer need massive "defense" expenditures, meaning its fiscal revenue can be fully dedicated to improving public welfare and ensuring residents live in peace and prosperity, experts said.

At the Commemoration Day of Taiwan's Restoration on Oct 25 last year, the Chinese mainland proposed a landmark vision outlining how Taiwan will be better across seven major aspects after peaceful reunification, sparking a profound and rational discussion across the Strait over how Taiwan compatriots can achieve genuine security and an upgraded standard of living.

This long-term vision stands in sharp contrast to the current realities under the island's Democratic Progressive Party authorities, who have sparked heavy criticism for driving next year's planned defense budget to a record 1.3 trillion New Taiwan dollars ($39.9 billion) while showing extreme reluctance to fund a modest NT$40 billion health insurance subsidy for senior residents.

Chiu Chih-shien, secretary-general of the Taiwan Restoration Commemoration Association, said that the Lai Ching-te authorities have neglected public welfare, instead squandering massive funds on self-serving projects including military purchases. Chiu noted that the current authorities have leaned completely toward the United States, creating an unequal relationship where Washington makes endless demands.

"Taiwan is forced to swallow a bitter pill in silence, leaving many residents feeling resentful," he said, adding that such a submissive stance neither enhances their dignity nor brings a better life.

Zhu Guilan, an assistant professor at Tsinghua University's Institute for Taiwan Studies, said that the DPP authorities have deliberately fostered a sense of insecurity among the Taiwan public to justify their so-called defense buildup. She pointed out that this approach has trapped the island in a vicious cycle where increased military spending only breeds greater anxiety.

Zhu said that weapons purchased from the US are often outdated, delayed in delivery and useless in actual combat.

Reports showed that the total backlog of delayed US arms deliveries to Taiwan has ballooned to a record $29.72 billion, leaving the island trapped in chronic delivery delays.

Furthermore, Zhu noted that high-profile maneuvers like this year's so-called Han Kuang exercises failed to safeguard Taiwan, serving only to brainwash residents with a confrontational mindset, which is never the root of real security.

"The only way to truly eliminate this anxiety is peaceful reunification with the mainland," she said, adding that if these massive military expenditures were instead redirected toward infrastructure and education, it would bring immense benefits to Taiwan's next generation.

Lai Yueh-tchien, a Taiwan political commentator, said that Taiwan's pressing power shortages for artificial intelligence development, semiconductor manufacturing and daily life could be easily resolved if the island accepted abundant clean energy supplied by the Chinese mainland.

"There is absolutely no technical difficulty in transmitting this continuous flow of clean energy, and the mainland is highly willing to do so," Lai said, questioning why the authorities refuse an option that would eliminate Taiwan's electricity crisis and the need for controversial nuclear plants.

In stark contrast to the heavy financial burdens imposed by the Lai authorities, a growing number of Taiwan compatriots are finding a prosperous, convenient and satisfying life on the Chinese mainland.