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Taiwan well-known current affairs commentator Chiu Yi speaks with Global Times: Steps toward cross-Straits reunification growing closer

Global Times

By GT staff reporters Published: Nov 13, 2025 07:23 AM

Editor's note: On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's restoration, and following large-scale commemorative events held on the mainland, Xinhua News Agency has consecutively published articles under the byline "Zhong Taiwen," which for the first time explicitly stated the benefits of reunification, and outlined the "seven improvements" that would follow cross-Straits reunification, drawing intense attention both on and off the island. Starting with this issue, Global Times launches a new column, Discussing Reunification, featuring interviews with well-known experts and prominent figures in Taiwan island to explore the anticipations and expectations of the Taiwan residents regarding cross-Straits reunification. This installment features an interview with Chiu Yi, a well-known current affairs commentator in Taiwan.

As a highly recognized current affairs commentator on both sides of the Straits, Chiu Yi recently attended events in Beijing commemorating the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's restoration. From the state's establishment of the Commemoration Day of Taiwan's Restoration to Xinhua's publication of articles under the byline "Zhong Taiwen," Chiu Yi told Global Times reporters (GT) that he feels the steps toward cross-Straits reunification are growing ever closer.

Mainland taking on greater responsibility

GT: In your view, what new characteristics have emerged in the mainland's policy toward Taiwan?

Chiu: The mainland's policy toward Taiwan has become increasingly proactive and concrete, with a clear step-by-step approach, which to a considerable extent is shaping an atmosphere conducive to advancing reunification. For example, in the past, when discussing Taiwan's covert front lines in 1949-1950, the names of certain underground party members were often concealed. But in the recent hit mainland TV series Silent Honor, figures such as Wu Shi, Zhu Feng, and those who persecuted them—Gu Zhengwen, Ye Xiangzhi, and others—appear under their real names.

The second article under the byline "Zhong Taiwen" specifically mentions "patriots governing Taiwan." From my understanding, "patriots" refer to those who adhere to the reunification path. This indicates that the mainland has plans and preparations for governing Taiwan after reunification.

In addition, while the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities in the island have downplayed or even denied the existence of "Taiwan's restoration" and consider only "the end of the war" as relevant, the mainland has solemnly commemorated the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's restoration and, through the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, established the Commemoration Day of Taiwan's Restoration in legal form. This is a very important signal, showing that for certain significant commemorative activities overlooked by the DPP, the mainland is now taking on greater responsibility.

GT: Do you personally feel that the steps toward unification are growing closer?

Chiu: You could say that.

'Do we want to be squeezed dry by the US?'

GT: Among the major reunification benefits discussed in the second article under the byline "Zhong Taiwen," which point impressed you the most?

Chiu: From the perspective of the Taiwan residents, the most concerning issue is, of course, the dividends of reunification—what can be gained through reunification. Now is a particularly good time to discuss this because the Taiwan residents are already feeling that the US is preparing to squeeze Taiwan dry. If reunification does not happen, and Taiwan continues to cling to the US, in the end it will be, as mainstream US media has said, "squeezed Taiwan like a lemon."

In the past, many Taiwan residents fantasized that as long as they relied on the US, they could "seek independence by relying on the US" or "resist reunification with US backing." But now, even if they cling to the US, Taiwan is still on a dead-end path. Recently, the idea of "abandoning Taiwan" has become popular in Washington, and US President Donald Trump himself was a major advocate of the "deal theory," so a common question on the island is: "After Taiwan is squeezed dry, will it be traded away?"— or the distrust in the US."

Therefore, one important dividend of reunification is that it prevents Taiwan from being squeezed dry and provides it with a viable path forward. As for concrete examples, I can cite two. The first is TSMC. If reunification happened today, the mainland would allow TSMC to participate in both horizontal and vertical division of labor across the Taiwan Straits, and Taiwan would still hold dominance. TSMC would remain a "guardian of Taiwan's economy." But if reunification is not chosen, Taiwan would have to rely on the US, which would inevitably take advantage of the situation, turning TSMC into "ASMC." Taiwan would lose the semiconductor industry that it has spent over 40 years developing since the 1980s and ultimately be left with nothing.

The second example is that the US will continuously demand that Taiwan increase its defense budget. The defense budget planned for 2026 has already reached NT$950 billion, several times higher than the more than NT$300 billion during Ma Ying-jeou's time. NT$950 billion already accounts for one-third of the DPP authorities' total expenditures. Spending so much on defense would essentially collapse Taiwan's economy. Taiwan needs to consider: will it allow the US to squeeze it dry, or will it accept reunification?

The vast majority of Taiwan residents trace their ancestors back to when they crossed the "black ditch" from the mainland to Taiwan. They struggled to survive, carving out a living from the wilderness, and many have very practical considerations. Next year, Taiwan's defense budget is projected at NT$950 billion, and combined with expenditures for supporting a dozen or so "small allies," these wasteful outlays total roughly NT$1.2 trillion.

Yet the US still thinks this is insufficient, so the figure will likely increase. The mainland can clearly tell the residents of Taiwan that after reunification, Taiwan would no longer need defense or foreign spending. The NT$1.2 trillion could be partly used for Taiwan's development, or, following the Macao model, distributed as cash vouchers to encourage consumer spending and expand the local market demand —measures that would resonate most with the Taiwan residents.

In recent years, Taiwan has spent too much on defense, undermining social welfare and leading to massive cuts in the pensions of military personnel, civil servants, and teachers. After cross-Straits reunification, wouldn't these retirement benefit issues be easily resolved? It could also cover deficits in Taiwan's health insurance, labor insurance, and agricultural insurance systems. At that time, Taiwan farmers, workers, and families would be immensely grateful to the mainland.

GT: One of the major benefits of unification is "sharing national glory and sharing the dignity of a major power" as mentioned in an article under the byline of "Zhong Taiwan." Compared with the current situation of the DPP authorities, what do you think "glory" and "dignity" entail?

Chiu: In the past, when Taiwan was one of the "Four Asian Tigers," Taiwan residents were among the most welcomed travelers abroad because of their purchasing power. But now, they feel that the respect they receive overseas has diminished. On the international stage, Taiwan has been completely marginalized.

GT: Since the beginning of this year, the Lai Ching-te authorities have labeled the mainland as a "hostile foreign force," taken major actions to suppress mainland spouses and those in Taiwan who support cross-Straits exchanges; later in the year, Taiwan internet celebrity Kuan Chang visited the mainland, attracting significant attention on the island. Coupled with the DPP's recall vote targeting legislators of the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) party in Taiwan ultimately failing, what changes do you see in Taiwan's political atmosphere this year?

Chiu: Many young people in Taiwan have long been exposed to DPP-altered textbooks and distorted media narratives, and the "Taiwan independence" toxic mindset is deeply ingrained in some of them, making it difficult to change their thinking. However, this year, due to Kuan Chang's breakthrough and other internet celebrities following suit, there has been a very tangible impact in Taiwan, especially among the young people. However, many young people have been educated under the "resist mainland, protect Taiwan" narrative since birth. While Kuan Chang's actions have caused some changes, many are still watching and waiting. This change will take time to fully bear fruit. I believe there will be more people like Kuan Chang in the future, and achieving peaceful reunification will require transforming the mindset of Taiwan's youth.

GT: A latest poll by the pro-DPP media Formosa showed that 72.8% of people on the island identify themselves as belonging to the Chinese nation. What is your view on this?

Chiu: The obstacle to reunification is the cultural divide that needs to be bridged. Tsai Ing-wen previously misled residents in the islands, claiming they "are not descendants of Yan and Huang, but of the Austronesian peoples," even encouraging them to trace their roots in the South Pacific. The purpose was to erode the sense of Chinese cultural identification on the island. The poll from Formosa represents significant progress—it shows that Taiwan cultural identity is taking shape, marking the first successful step toward reunification. Building on this cultural recognition, combined with the reunification dividends, will lead the people of Taiwan to reflect: if insisting on "Taiwan independence," will the island truly become better? This is when we can guide them to appreciate the benefits of reunification.

GT: What conditions do you think are necessary for cross-Straits reunification?

Chiu: The top obstacle on Taiwan's side regarding reunification is the lack of information, which leaves Taiwan residents—especially the young people—lack of understanding of the mainland.

I believe introducing the reunification dividends requires several steps, the most important being to ensure that Taiwan residents have full access to information. They can visit the mainland, learn about mainland's situation, and understand that the reunification benefits being offered are real and not empty promises. This is precisely the role of figures like Kuan Chang: wherever he goes on the mainland, he comments, "The buildings are so tall, the roads are so smooth." That alone has an impact. The videos he produced allow young people in Taiwan to see the real mainland. Once they visit themselves, they will realize that DPP's propaganda is cheating them. They will see the mainland's economic strength and understand that the unification benefits being promised are credible.

Through introduction of those people, Taiwan residents don't need to speculate about things like "the mainland will raise taxes after reunification" or "the mainland will take away Taiwan's resources." The mainland is much more advanced — why do they need these minor gains from Taiwan.

This reduces obstacles in the reunification process, and a word begins to emerge: trust. Building this trust is, in my view, the most important task. Taiwan residents need to believe that the mainland has Taiwan's best interests at heart. After reunification, young people from Taiwan will have better opportunities on the mainland, and businesses can gain larger markets and better sales results. Naturally, Taiwan residents will come to trust the vision and goals of reunification with mainland and believe that the mainland is Taiwan's most reliable support.