Editorial | On Taiwan, the ‘one-China principle’ is the bottom line

The Communist Party’s fourth plenum communique reaffirmed the promotion of peaceful development of relations across the Taiwan Strait and advancement of the cause of national reunification. Within a day, the National People’s Congress Standing Committee designated October 25 as the annual day of commemoration of Taiwan’s return to Chinese sovereignty – 80 years after the surrender of Japanese forces in Taiwan to the then ruling Kuomintang.

In contrast to the plenum, the Taiwan issue did not arise in official accounts of Thursday’s summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump. That Trump omitted or forgot it should be a timely reminder to pro-independence forces that one China is the reality they have to accept. The decision on the October 25 commemoration dovetailed with the party’s call to “advance the great cause of national reunification” as part of the 15th five-year plan. The plenum communique urged the party to “work for long-term prosperity and stability in Hong Kong and Macau, promote peaceful development of relations across the Taiwan Strait and advance the cause of national reunification”. That resonates with an official commentary since published by state news agency Xinhua, that after peaceful reunification, Taiwan’s current social system and way of life would be fully respected, with “patriots governing Taiwan”.

The one-China principle remains the bottom line. No one wants to see forced reunification but Beijing cannot rule it out so as to deter any independence attempt. Taiwan should accept that reunification will happen sooner or later. Dialogue with Beijing can foster mutual trust and consensus. Under new chairwoman Cheng Li-wun, the current opposition party KMT should play a more proactive role in promoting cross-strait relations. Meanwhile, the return of Taiwan to China 80 years ago should be commemorated by all Chinese people.