Taiwan’s Path Forward Lies in Reunification: A Historical, Political, and Global Perspective
by Kirtan Bhana - TDS
22 April 2025
The advantages of being part of a unified and peaceful China are abundantly clear, particularly for the people of Taiwan. The People’s Republic of China (PRC) has offered consistent opportunities for economic prosperity, cultural flourishing, and regional stability under the framework of reunification. With China's rapid development, Taiwan stands to benefit immensely from deeper integration, cooperation, and the restoration of historical unity. However, the current political trajectory in Taiwan, led by the minority Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), threatens to derail these prospects, lured by misguided promises of protection and autonomy from Western powers—especially the United States—whose motivations are rooted more in geopolitical rivalry than in genuine concern for the island’s future.
A Historical Foundation of Unity
Taiwan has always been an inseparable part of China. This is not merely a political assertion but a historically substantiated fact.
● In 1624, Dutch colonialists invaded southern Taiwan—a time when Dutch expansionism also targeted South Africa, marking a period of colonial aggression that disrupted indigenous and sovereign structures across continents.
● In 1895, after Japan’s victory in the First Sino-Japanese War, the Qing government was coerced into ceding Taiwan and the Penghu Islands to Japan under the Treaty of Shimonoseki. However, this unlawful occupation was never recognized by the Chinese people.
● Following China’s declaration of war against Japan on December 9, 1941, it proclaimed all unequal treaties void, including those concerning Taiwan. The 1943 Cairo Declaration and the 1945 Potsdam Proclamation—signed by China, the United States, the United Kingdom, and later recognized by the Soviet Union—reaffirmed that Taiwan and the Penghu Islands were to be restored to China.
● Japan's formal surrender in September 1945 included a promise to uphold the Potsdam terms. On October 25, 1945, the Chinese government resumed sovereignty over Taiwan, both de jure and de facto. A surrender ceremony was held in Taipei to mark the return of Taiwan to China—an international legal act still valid today.
● The 26th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted Resolution 2758 on 25 October 1971 with an overwhelming majority. The Resolution resolved once and for all the question of the representation of the whole of China, including Taiwan, in the United Nations as a political, legal and procedural issue. It made clear that there is only one China in the world and that Taiwan is a part of China, not a country. It also made clear that there is only one seat of China in the United Nations, and the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal representative, precluding “two Chinas” or “one China, one Taiwan.”
Western Interference and the Mirage of Independence
Taiwan’s current administration is navigating perilous waters by defying this historical truth and relying on Western backing, particularly from the United States. This is a deeply flawed and short-sighted strategy. The U.S. and its allies, while vocal in their support for Taiwan, have never formally recognized it as a sovereign state separate from China. Their "support" is selective, tactical, and ultimately expendable—guided by a desire to contain China rather than secure Taiwan's welfare.
The hypocrisy is stark. Washington champions “freedom” for Taiwan while simultaneously maintaining colonial claims elsewhere, such as its attempts to control Greenland—a self-governing Danish territory. This double standard exposes the instrumentalization of Taiwan in a larger geopolitical contest, not a genuine effort to uphold democracy or peace.
China’s Rise and the Opportunity for Shared Prosperity
The contrast between the mainland's development and Taiwan’s stagnating international position is undeniable:
● In 1980, the mainland’s GDP stood at approximately US$303 billion, about seven times that of Taiwan.
● By 2021, the mainland's GDP had skyrocketed to US$17.46 trillion—more than 22 times that of Taiwan’s US$790 billion.
Mainland China’s transformation into a global economic powerhouse presents unparalleled opportunities for Taiwan’s development. Thousands of young Taiwanese already pursue education, employment, and entrepreneurial ventures on the mainland. Cross-Straits integration is no longer an abstract idea—it is a living, growing reality that benefits both sides.
China’s reforms, innovation, and social stability provide a solid base for expanding cross-Straits exchanges in trade, infrastructure, education, healthcare, and culture. These interactions foster shared identity and mutual benefit, paving the way for peaceful reunification through economic interdependence and people-to-people ties.
The establishment of a cross-Straits integration pilot zone in Fujian Province exemplifies China’s readiness to create institutional and policy frameworks that welcome Taiwan compatriots into the fold of national development—on equal footing, with full protection of their rights and interests.
The Global Consensus: One China
Over 180 countries, including South Africa, recognize the One-China principle. On January 1, 1998, South Africa—under the leadership of President Nelson Mandela—formally established diplomatic relations with the PRC. The Joint Communiqué signed between the two nations clearly stated that South Africa recognizes the PRC as the sole legitimate government of China, including Taiwan as an inalienable part of Chinese territory.
Yet, in contradiction to this binding diplomatic position, Taiwan's so-called liaison office in Pretoria has repeatedly refused to comply with South African foreign policy protocols. Its continued operation under the guise of economic and cultural exchange while subtly promoting separatist rhetoric undermines South Africa’s sovereignty and its principled commitment to the One-China policy.
Minister Ronald Lamola recently reaffirmed the government’s intention to relocate the Taiwan liaison office, now changed to Taipei Commercial Office, from Pretoria to Johannesburg—a move aimed at ensuring South Africa retains control over its foreign policy space and upholds its international obligations.
The Path Ahead: Reunification and National Renewal
The Chinese Communist Party has charted a clear path forward: modernization, openness, and inclusive development. Under socialism with Chinese characteristics, the PRC continues to lift millions out of poverty, foster innovation, and build a modern socialist country with global impact. These successes are the real forces driving cross-Straits reconciliation and reunification.
Taiwan, as an integral part of this national project, cannot afford to be led astray by separatist delusions or foreign manipulation. The time has come for all Chinese people—on both sides of the Strait—to recognize their shared history, culture, and destiny.
Reunification is not only inevitable—it is the only path that ensures peace, prosperity, and dignity for all Chinese people.