Taiwan, a sacred territory that has belonged to the mainland since ancient times, has now become the focus of the great power game.
United States, the global hegemon, has never given up its "tiger eye" on Taiwan, and has even not hesitated to win over allies such as Japan and South Korea to lay a net at the mainland's doorstep in an attempt to trap the mainland's navy in shallow waters.
There are even rumors that the mainland's three major fleets have been blocked at their doorstep by the United States, Japan, and South Korea in turn, and they are unable to break through the blockade at all, and the recovery of Taiwan is even more far away.
Is this alarmist or fact? In the face of many blockades, how will the mainland break the situation and sail to the deep blue?
The importance of the Taiwan Strait is self-evident, and its geopolitical significance as an important passage connecting the East China Sea and the South China Sea is of great importance.
Controlling Taiwan is tantamount to mastering the throat of maritime communications in East Asia. Because of this, Taiwan occupies a key position in the United States's "three island chains" strategy.
Of these three island chains, the most important part is undoubtedly the core of the first island chain. United States sees Taiwan as an "unsinkable aircraft carrier" whose strategic position is of great importance.
In recent years, the strategic layout of the United States and its allies on the Taiwan issue has become increasingly obvious, showing the characteristics of multi-faceted and all-round.
The escalation of arms sales is an important part of United States' policy toward Taiwan.
In August 2021, United States announced the sale of $750 million worth of weapons and equipment to Taiwan, including 40 155mm M109A6 self-propelled howitzer systems. The decision immediately sparked an outcry from China.
The US arms sales to the Taiwan region seriously violate the one-China principle and the provisions of the three Sino-US joint communiques, seriously damage China's sovereignty and security interests, and seriously damage peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
China firmly opposes this and has lodged solemn representations with the US side.
Although these weapons cannot fundamentally change the balance of military power between the two sides of the strait, they will undoubtedly increase the uncertainty of the situation in the Taiwan Strait.
The M109A6 self-propelled howitzer system can improve the Taiwan Army's firepower delivery capabilities, but its survivability is questioned in the face of the PLA's increasing precision strike capabilities.
These weapons are seen more as a political symbol than as a real weapon to change the military balance.
The frequent visits to Taiwan by United States dignitaries have also become an important factor in the tension in the Taiwan Strait in recent years.
On August 2, 2022, then Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi insisted on visiting Taiwan despite repeated warnings from China, triggering a serious crisis in the Taiwan Strait.
During Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, the Chinese People's Liberation Army conducted large-scale military exercises in the waters around Taiwan.
The spokesman of the Eastern Theater of the People's Liberation Army said: This is a solemn deterrent to the collusion between the United States and Taiwan, and a just move to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
During the exercise, residents in several areas of Taiwan reported hearing the roar of fighter jets.
The atmosphere in downtown Taipei is tense, and many people discuss the possibility of war. Although daily life continues, a sense of imminent crisis pervades the island.
United States joint military exercises with allies have also become an important variable in the situation in the Taiwan Strait.
In April 2023, the United States, Japan and South Korea held a joint anti-submarine exercise in the waters off Okinawa, Japan.
United States Navy destroyer commanders involved in the exercise said the exercise was aimed at improving the coordinated combat capabilities of the three navies, particularly in the area of anti-submarine.
During the exercise, the three countries dispatched a number of surface ships, submarines and anti-submarine patrol aircraft to simulate a variety of complex anti-submarine warfare scenarios.
The exercise, which is believed to be aimed at China's growing submarine forces, demonstrates the military presence and resolve of United States and its allies in the Western Pacific.
Intelligence cooperation is another important means for United States and its allies to contain China.
According to Japan media reports, the United States National Security Agency and the Japan Ministry of Defense have set up a joint intelligence center in Okinawa Prefecture to monitor China's military activities in the East China Sea and the Taiwan Strait.
Equipped with state-of-the-art signals intelligence equipment, the center is capable of monitoring the communications and electronic activities of the Chinese military 24 hours a day.
The intelligence gathered is critical in assessing China's military intentions and provides an important reference for strategic decision-making in both the United States and Japan.
At the diplomatic level, the United States is also constantly pressuring.
At the G7 summit in May 2023, participating countries issued a joint statement calling for a peaceful settlement of the Taiwan issue. This statement immediately sparked strong dissatisfaction in China.
In the face of these challenges, the Chinese government has demonstrated its determination to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity. In recent years, China's military, economic, diplomatic and other fields have been continuously strengthened, and it has the ability to cope with various complex situations.
In the field of diplomacy, China has achieved remarkable results. More and more countries recognize the one-China principle and "sever diplomatic relations" with Taiwan.
These diplomatic victories not only reflect China's growing international influence, but also create favorable conditions for the peaceful settlement of the Taiwan issue.
On the Taiwan issue, the attitude of the international community has taken on a complex and changeable character. Most countries follow the one-China principle, but some take a vague stance and try to find a balance between China and the United States.
The relevant United Nations resolutions provide a legal basis for handling the Taiwan issue.
In recent years, international public opinion has given more and more understanding and support to China's idea of peaceful reunification.
The Chinese Government has always adhered to the principle of peaceful reunification and put forward the concept of "one country, two systems." This principle not only reflects respect for the interests of Taiwan compatriots, but also points out the direction for the peaceful development of the two sides of the strait.
Public opinion polls in recent years have shown that the Taiwan people tend to be conservative in their attitude toward reunification. The formation of this attitude is inseparable from the island's political ecology, education system, and the influence of external forces.
The intervention of external forces is one of the biggest obstacles to peaceful reunification.
Under the pretext of the "Taiwan Relations Act," some countries have continuously sold arms to Taiwan and conducted so-called "high-level exchange visits," seriously disrupting the normal development of cross-strait relations.
In the face of these challenges, the Chinese government has taken a series of diplomatic, economic and military measures to effectively safeguard its national interests.
Although political differences still exist, the annual Straits Forum and other exchange platforms have built bridges of communication for people on both sides of the strait. On these platforms, compatriots on both sides of the strait have freely shared their family affection and sought common development, thus enhancing mutual understanding and recognition.
At the Straits Youth Forum in 2021, Lai Yanjun, a teacher from Taiwan, shared her story. Lai Yanjun studied and worked on the mainland, and personally experienced the process of deepening cross-strait exchanges.
After graduation, she chose to stay in Fujian to work and devote herself to public welfare undertakings to provide services for Taiwan compatriots in the mainland.
She said: "The experience in the mainland has made me deeply feel the warmth of a family on both sides of the strait, and it has also allowed me to see a broader space for development. ”
These vivid stories and rich exchange activities are quietly changing the mutual understanding of people on both sides of the strait.
Although political differences still exist, driven by economic interests and cultural identity, the peaceful development of cross-strait relations is becoming the consensus and expectation of more and more people.
In the future, with the further deepening of exchanges, I believe that more people will become a link between the two sides of the strait through their own personal experiences and contribute to the peaceful development of cross-strait relations.
With the continuous enhancement of China's comprehensive national strength, the prospects for cross-strait reunification are becoming brighter and brighter.
Experts predict that after reunification, Taiwan will usher in a new round of economic take-off and achieve leapfrog development in the fields of high technology, finance, and tourism.
Young people on both sides of the strait are full of expectations for the future, but they also have some worries. They look forward to enjoying a broader space for development after reunification, but at the same time, they are also concerned about how their rights and interests can be protected.
We hope that through joint efforts, these expectations and worries can be transformed into a positive force for promoting the peaceful development of cross-strait relations and jointly writing a more brilliant chapter for the Chinese nation.
Information sources:
"International Knowledge Bureau: United States builds a "micro-border" system, how does China see the moves? 》China News Network2024-04-10
"Asia-Pacific Pattern under Great Changes: US-Japan-Philippines Cooperation and China's Response Strategy", China Daily, 2024-07-12
"The Right Path to Building Cooperation and Security in the Asia-Pacific Region", China Military Network, 2024-06-01
"Taiwan Youth and the Mainland's "Two-Way Running" - Stories from the 22nd Straits Youth Forum", People's Daily Online, 2024-06-18