【Summary】
China should politically, financially and diplomatically support KMT (The Nationalist Party) and TPP (The Taiwan People’s Party), which have the majority in the Taiwan legislature when combined, and make them enact a legislation that prohibits Taiwan President from declaring independence or taking actions which lead to independence.
This is not interference in other nation's internal affairs at all as Taiwan is a part of China.
Restricting President's power through legislations for the benefits of the people is completely constitutional, which is exactly the check and balances built in the constitution as exemplified by the US's War Powers Resolution of 1973.
【Text】
1. Taiwan President's provocative speech on independence
In May 2024, Taiwan's newly elected puppet President Lai Ching-te said in his inaugural address, "the Republic of China Taiwan is a sovereign, independent nation." [1]
By forcing their pawn Taiwan to declare independence, the US would try to draw China into a Taiwan war and prolong the war as long as possible, during which the US would attempt to launch a coup and uprising in the Chinese mainland to topple the Chinese Communist Party government.
China Hawk Elbridge Colby, who is supposed to be a President's national security advisor if Donald Trump is elected as the US President, mentioned that the US should prioritize Taiwan over Ukraine and shift military concentration toward China. [2]
[China Hawk Elbridge Colby, who is supposed to be a President's national security advisor if Donald Trump is elected as the US President]
The US's plot will fail.
First of all, the US does not have military power to prevail over China if a Taiwan war breaks out. [3][4]
Secondly, without fighting militarily, China would outwit and overcome the US politically, financially and diplomatically so that Taiwan's declaration of independence would be thwarted and that China would get Taiwan peacefully reunited with China.
Let me explain.
2. Taiwan legislature (the Legislative Yuan) restricts the President's power
In June 2024, a bill was passed by the Taiwan legislature (the Legislative Yuan), which restricts the power of the President.
The bill was supported by KMT (The Nationalist Party) and TPP (The Taiwan People’s Party), which, when combined, have the majority in the Legislative Yuan. KMT is a pro-China party seeking closer relations with China. TPP is a center-left party seeking maintaining status quo.
[The Legislative Yuan (The Taiwan Legislature)]
[Current structure of the Legislative Yuan]
According to news articles, the bill gives lawmakers the power to require the president to give regular reports to the legislature and answer lawmakers’ questions. It also criminalizes contempt of the legislature by government officials. [5]
The bill also provides the legislature with increased control of budgets, including defense spending.
The legislature will also be able to demand that the military, private companies or individuals disclose information deemed relevant by lawmakers.
[The Presidential Office of Taiwan]
The executive of Taiwan, which is controlled by pro-US and pro-independence DPP (The Democratic Progressive Party), claimed that the bill was unconstitutional and should be re-examined at the Legislative Yuan. [6]
But, the Legislative Yuan re-confirmed that the bill was legitimate and legal. The bill has formally become the law and already been implemented.
Now, DPP is claiming that the law which restricts the president's power is unconstitutional and that, therefore, it is null and void. DPP has put the matter to Taiwan's constitutional court (Judicial Yuan). [7]
[The Supreme Court of Taiwan]
Obviously, DPP doesn't know the basic of a constitutional law.
Under the separation of powers, the legislature has the power of legislation and budget. It is perfectly constitutional that the legislature exercises its power of legislation or budget to restrict the power of the executive. The check and balances between branches of the government is a built-in system in a constitution to safeguard people's rights and freedoms.
Actually, it's common that the legislature restricts the power of the executive. For example, in the US, the Congress passed the so-called "War Powers Resolution" in 1973, which was passed in the aftermath of the Vietnam War when the American people were fed up with the President's committing the US forces here and there overseas. The resolution is still valid and effective today. [8]
The War Powers Resolution requires the President to:
Report to Congress within 48 hours of committing US troops to hostilities overseas.
If both Houses of Congress do not approve of the commitment within 60 days, the forces must withdraw in 30 days.
Congress could require the removal of troops before the end of the 60-day period if they vote by simple majority in both houses.
Although the US Constitution provides that the President is Commander in Chief of the US forces, the Congress, through the War Powers Resolution, has restricted the President's power to command and commit the US forces. It is completely legal and constitutional.
Also, every year, the US Congress exercises its budgetary power to slash and restrict the executive's excessive demand to increase its military spending. It is completely legal and constitutional.
Taiwan's constitutional court would examine various countries practices of constitutional laws including the US's War Power Resolution and accordingly come to a conclusion that KMT and TPP's legislation that restricts President's power is constitutional.
With regard to this issue, some news articles predicts that, since all of judges of Taiwan's constitutional court are appointed by DPP, the court might rule that the legislation that restricts the power of the executive is unconstitutional, contradicting established constitutional law theories. [9]
Under such circumstances, China should immediately mobilize pro-KMT law professors and legal experts in Taiwan as well as experts in a constitutional law in various countries, and make pro-KMT book-publishers and newspaper companies publish a large number of books and articles to spread the facts and information that the legislation is completely legal and constitutional, so that the overwhelming majority of Taiwan people would support the legislation and that Taiwan's constitutional court would not be able to rule that it's unconstitutional.
This is not interference in other nation's internal affairs at all as Taiwan is a part of China.
3. The Legislative Yuan's prohibiting the Taiwan President's declaration of independence is legally, logically and legitimately constitutional
Furthermore, it is probable and possible for the the Legislative Yuan to restrict the power of the President even more for the benefits of the Taiwan people.
For example, the Legislative Yuan can enact a legislation that strictly prohibits the President from declaring the independence of Taiwan.
[The Legislative Yuan (The Taiwan Legislature)]
[The Legislative Yuan (The Taiwan Legislature)]
Such a law would be legally and logically constitutional. Let me explain.
First of all, according to article 63 of Taiwan Constitution, the Legislative Yuan shall have the power to decide by resolution upon declaration of war. The Taiwan Constitution provides that declaration of war is within the power of the Legislative Yuan, not the power of the Taiwan President. [10]
Now, please look at article 8 of China's "Anti-secession Law". It stipulates, "In the event that the "Taiwan independence" secessionist forces should act under any name or by any means to cause the fact of Taiwan's secession from China, or that major incidents entailing Taiwan's secession from China should occur, or that possibilities for a peaceful reunification should be completely exhausted, the state shall employ non-peaceful means and other necessary measures to protect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity.". [11]
Article 8 of China's "Anti-secession Law" means that, if Taiwan becomes independent and its secession from China occurs, China will automatically and surely employ non-peaceful means, i.e., military means, and immediately start a war against Taiwan.
Actually, China has been repeatedly warning to that effect.
Therefore, if the Taiwan President makes "the declaration of the independence of Taiwan", it constitutes and is precisely equal to "the declaration of war against China", which is not within the power of the Taiwan President but within the power of the Legislative Yuan.
Thus, the Legislative Yuan can enact a legislation that strictly prohibits the Taiwan President to declare the independence of Taiwan.
As a matter of fact, given enormous military power of China, a war against China obviously means complete destruction of Taiwan and annihilation of the Taiwan people. Therefore, for the purpose of protecting lives and rights of the Taiwan people, it is not only legal and logical but legitimate too that the Legislative Yuan enacts a legislation that strictly prohibits the President from declaring the independence of Taiwan.
In fact, the overwhelming majority (over 80%) of the Taiwan people supports status qua and oppose the immediate independence of Taiwan. So, such a law would exactly suit the demand of the Taiwan people. [12]
Moreover, the Legislative Yuan can enact a legislation that prohibits the President from taking actions which lead to independence of Taiwan because such actions could invite China into a war against Taiwan. For example, for the Taiwan President to visit the US and meet with the US government officials implies Taiwan is to be an independent country. The independence of Taiwan means a war with China and destruction of Taiwan. Therefore, the Legislative Yuan can enact a legislation that prohibits the President from visiting the US even for a transit purpose.
Also, for the Taiwan President to welcome foreign countries' government officials or legislators implies that Taiwan is to be an independent country. Therefore, the Legislative Yuan can enact a legislation that prohibits the President from welcoming foreign countries' government officials or legislators.
4. Impeachment of the President
However, being a puppet most obedient and loyal to the US in Taiwan history, the Taiwan President Lai Ching-te might recklessly dare to declare the independence of Taiwan despite legislative prohibitions, or the US might force him to declare the independence of Taiwan, with allowing him no objection, at the most favorable time for the US.
In that event, the Legislative Yuan should immediately pass a resolution that negates and nullifies the President's declaration of independence. The resolution should also affirm that a declaration of independence, which, as a matter of fact, constitutes the declaration of war, is within the power of the Legislative Yuan and that it is for the Legislative Yuan to determine it.
More essentially, after enactment of legislations that restrict the President' power, if the President violates the prohibitions thereof, the Legislative Yuan should strongly censure him and ultimately impeach the President so as to remove him from the presidency because such a violation endangers Taiwan people's lives and safety and, therefore, could be deemed as reckless "high treason or rebellion".
The amendments (the fourth revision) of the Taiwan constitution adopted on July 18, 1997 granted the Legislative Yuan powers of impeachment. [13]
It says, "The power to impeach the president or the vice president shall be transferred from the Control Yuan ([AN] the supervisory and auditory branch of the government of the Republic of China) to the Legislative Yuan, and such action shall be initiated for 'high treason or rebellion' only."
5. Getting Taiwan SMEs on China's side is crucial
Now, more fundamentally and politico-economically, for the purpose of ensuring a peaceful reunification of Taiwan, China can work on Taiwan's SMEs (small and medium enterprises) and get them on China's side by offering more favorable terms and conditions of contracts compared to Taiwan's big companies or the US, Japan or any other countries' companies. China can offer better prices, larger amounts of purchases, longer contract periods and so on to snatch and get Taiwan's SMEs. Without human and financial resources, the US can not stop it.
Actually, Taiwan's SMEs are more numerous in their employees than Taiwan's big companies. According to the White Paper of the Taiwan government on Small and Medium Enterprises in Taiwan, 2022, Taiwan had more than 1.59 million small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as of 2021, and SMEs employ 9.2 million people, representing more than 80 percent of the total workforce. Considering that Taiwan's population is approximately 24 million, SMEs' employees and their family members constitute the overwhelming majority of Taiwan voters. So, getting Taiwan SMEs on China's side is decisive to ensure a peaceful reunification of Taiwan. [14]
[A fish processing factory in Taiwan]
[A luggage factory in Taiwan]
By getting Taiwan SMEs on China's side, China can get the majority of Taiwan population on China's side. It might be called a Taiwan version of China's "people's warfare". In this case, it is a political and economic warfare rather than military warfare.
China can apply the methods of poverty alleviation that China used domestically, which is essentially job creation, connecting regions to another regions and connecting demand and supply.
China might be able to even get Taiwan SMEs that are manufacturing critical parts for TSMC too, which will enable China to control TSMC's supply chain.
Accordingly, Taiwan SMEs standing on China's side would become a very strong and solid political constituents that support and hail the above mentioned legislations that restricts the President's power.
Again, this is not interference in other nation's internal affairs at all as Taiwan is a part of China.
6. Cultural, Judicial and Clandestine Warfare over Taiwan
In addition, China can facilitate more cooperative and amicable people to people relations between China and Taiwan by holding large numbers of various events, dialogue and symposiums. For example, More than 7,000 compatriots from Taiwan have gathered in Fujian for the 16th Straits Forum held in Xiamen, Fujian Province, China. [15][16]
Incidentally, as Taiwan is a part of China, China can apply China's domestic laws and punish separatists in Taiwan.
In June 2024, China's Supreme People's Court, Supreme People's Procuratorate, and ministries of public security, state security, and justice jointly issued guidelines on imposing criminal punishments on diehard "Taiwan independence" separatists for conducting or inciting secession, which allows death penalty and a trial in absentia in relevant cases. [17]
[Officials of China's Supreme People's Court, Supreme People's Procuratorate, and ministries of public security, state security, and justice announcing guidelines on imposing criminal punishments on diehard "Taiwan independence" separatists]
Also, China's intelligence organizations, collecting SIGINT and HUMINT, would be able to detect DPP's scandals such as abuse of the government's fund and disclose them one after another through Taiwan media and the Internet, which would steadily weaken Taiwan people's trust in DPP.
Once again, this is not interference in other nation's internal affairs at all as Taiwan is a part of China.
How the US would react to the unstoppable tendency of peaceful reunification of China and Taiwan?
As the Legislative Yuan effectively prevents and neutralizes the US's plot, the US would be frustrated and furious against the Legislative Yuan. So, in an attempt to eliminate the Legislative Yuan, the US might try to launch a coup in Taiwan by mobilizing the Taiwan military and get all the KMT and TPP members of the Legislative Yuan arrested.
But, China's intelligence organizations will surely notice such a US attempt in advance and thwart a coup by making KMT and TPP legislators to publicly disclose the plot so that all the military officers involved in the plot will be arrested before a coup.
Yet again, this is not China's interference in other nation's internal affairs at all as Taiwan is a part of China. Actually, it is China's legal and legitimate efforts to repel the US's ugly interference in China's internal affairs.
Looking back the history, in Europe in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, merchants and bourgeoisie including Jewish rich people gradually and steadily expanded their influence over politics through the legislature, making their representatives elected to the legislature, and finally conquered the executive.
Now, China can use the method for the purpose of reunification of Taiwan.
Ultimately, with the majority of the Taiwan SMEs being in favor of reunification, the Taiwan Legislative Yuan would be able to make a resolution, declaring that Taiwan is a province of China, which Taiwan President would have to accept and obey.
Then, the US's plot to break out a Taiwan war would be completely crushed and destroyed forever.
7. A peaceful reunification of China and Taiwan is the only choice for the mankind
Watching Ukraine War, Taiwan people should realize that what the US wants to do is to make Taiwan a Ukraine in Asia.
Do Taiwan people believe that the US really cares Taiwan and Taiwan people's lives and rights? The answer is negative. The US government regards Taiwan people merely as a handy tool to disturb and attack China and increase demand for US weapons in the region. The US government even doesn't regard Taiwan people as human beings. The US government wouldn't care how many Taiwan people die just like it doesn't care how many Ukrainians die.
If Taiwan maintains an ambiguous position on reunification and, thereby, keeps trying to draw out benefits from both China and the US, Taiwan would soon face catastrophe and destruction of a Taiwan war. Devastating effects of a Taiwan war to the world would far more exceed those of Ukraine War.
A peaceful reunification of China and Taiwan is the only choice not only for China and Taiwan but the world as well, which will ensure China, Taiwan and the region to have solid peace and prosperity in the coming centuries.
Thank you.
References:
(1) Inaugural Address of ROC 16th-term President Lai Ching-te, May 20th 2024, Office of the President, Republic of China (Taiwan)
(2) "Ex-Trump official suggests need for U.S. force realignment to address China threat", July 16th 2024, Yonhap News
(3) "Pentagon, Chinese analysts agree US can’t win in Taiwan Strait", December 6th 2022, Reuters
(4) "America can’t afford to ignore the logistics triad", July 2023, The Brookings Institution
(5) "Taiwan’s parliament passes bill pushing pro-China changes", May 28th 2024, Al Jazeera
(6) 「台湾の内閣、議会権限強化法の再審議要求を決定 野党主導で可決も『憲法違反』」、２０２４年６月６日、産経新聞
(7) "DPP caucus formally requests injunction, ruling on oversight laws", June 26th 2024, Focus Taiwan
(8) War Powers Resolution, Wikipedia
(9) 「野党主導の国会権限強化法施行 政権反発、機密流出懸念も―台湾」
、２０２４年６月２６日、時事通信
(10) The Constitution of the Republic of China (Taiwan), Laws & regulations Database of the Republic of China (Taiwan)
(11) "Anti-Secession Law adopted by NPC (full text)", March 14th 2005, China Daily
(12) "Over 80% of Taiwanese favor maintaining status quo with China: survey", February 23rd 2024, Focus Taiwan
(13) The Constitution of the Republic of China (Taiwan), The Office of the President of the Republic of China (Taiwan)
(14) "SMEs Serve as the Backbone of Taiwan's Stable Economic Development", The Ministry of Economic Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan)
(15) "Main meeting of 16th Straits Forum in Xiamen", June 15th 2024, Xinhua
(16) "Defending One-China: 7,000 Taiwan compatriots gather in Fujian for cultural and economic exchanges", June 16th 2024, CGTN
(17) "China issues judicial guidelines on criminal punishment on diehard ‘Taiwan independence’ forces", June 22nd 2024, The Global Times
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect nor represent the policy or position of any government, party, or organization.
China should politically, financially and diplomatically support KMT (The Nationalist Party) and TPP (The Taiwan People’s Party), which have the majority in the Taiwan legislature when combined, and make them enact a legislation that prohibits Taiwan President from declaring independence or taking actions which lead to independence.
This is not interference in other nation's internal affairs at all as Taiwan is a part of China.
Restricting President's power through legislations for the benefits of the people is completely constitutional, which is exactly the check and balances built in the constitution as exemplified by the US's War Powers Resolution of 1973.
【Text】
1. Taiwan President's provocative speech on independence
In May 2024, Taiwan's newly elected puppet President Lai Ching-te said in his inaugural address, "the Republic of China Taiwan is a sovereign, independent nation." [1]
By forcing their pawn Taiwan to declare independence, the US would try to draw China into a Taiwan war and prolong the war as long as possible, during which the US would attempt to launch a coup and uprising in the Chinese mainland to topple the Chinese Communist Party government.
China Hawk Elbridge Colby, who is supposed to be a President's national security advisor if Donald Trump is elected as the US President, mentioned that the US should prioritize Taiwan over Ukraine and shift military concentration toward China. [2]
[China Hawk Elbridge Colby, who is supposed to be a President's national security advisor if Donald Trump is elected as the US President]
The US's plot will fail.
First of all, the US does not have military power to prevail over China if a Taiwan war breaks out. [3][4]
Secondly, without fighting militarily, China would outwit and overcome the US politically, financially and diplomatically so that Taiwan's declaration of independence would be thwarted and that China would get Taiwan peacefully reunited with China.
Let me explain.
2. Taiwan legislature (the Legislative Yuan) restricts the President's power
In June 2024, a bill was passed by the Taiwan legislature (the Legislative Yuan), which restricts the power of the President.
The bill was supported by KMT (The Nationalist Party) and TPP (The Taiwan People’s Party), which, when combined, have the majority in the Legislative Yuan. KMT is a pro-China party seeking closer relations with China. TPP is a center-left party seeking maintaining status quo.
[The Legislative Yuan (The Taiwan Legislature)]
[Current structure of the Legislative Yuan]
According to news articles, the bill gives lawmakers the power to require the president to give regular reports to the legislature and answer lawmakers’ questions. It also criminalizes contempt of the legislature by government officials. [5]
The bill also provides the legislature with increased control of budgets, including defense spending.
The legislature will also be able to demand that the military, private companies or individuals disclose information deemed relevant by lawmakers.
[The Presidential Office of Taiwan]
The executive of Taiwan, which is controlled by pro-US and pro-independence DPP (The Democratic Progressive Party), claimed that the bill was unconstitutional and should be re-examined at the Legislative Yuan. [6]
But, the Legislative Yuan re-confirmed that the bill was legitimate and legal. The bill has formally become the law and already been implemented.
Now, DPP is claiming that the law which restricts the president's power is unconstitutional and that, therefore, it is null and void. DPP has put the matter to Taiwan's constitutional court (Judicial Yuan). [7]
[The Supreme Court of Taiwan]
Obviously, DPP doesn't know the basic of a constitutional law.
Under the separation of powers, the legislature has the power of legislation and budget. It is perfectly constitutional that the legislature exercises its power of legislation or budget to restrict the power of the executive. The check and balances between branches of the government is a built-in system in a constitution to safeguard people's rights and freedoms.
Actually, it's common that the legislature restricts the power of the executive. For example, in the US, the Congress passed the so-called "War Powers Resolution" in 1973, which was passed in the aftermath of the Vietnam War when the American people were fed up with the President's committing the US forces here and there overseas. The resolution is still valid and effective today. [8]
The War Powers Resolution requires the President to:
Report to Congress within 48 hours of committing US troops to hostilities overseas.
If both Houses of Congress do not approve of the commitment within 60 days, the forces must withdraw in 30 days.
Congress could require the removal of troops before the end of the 60-day period if they vote by simple majority in both houses.
Although the US Constitution provides that the President is Commander in Chief of the US forces, the Congress, through the War Powers Resolution, has restricted the President's power to command and commit the US forces. It is completely legal and constitutional.
Also, every year, the US Congress exercises its budgetary power to slash and restrict the executive's excessive demand to increase its military spending. It is completely legal and constitutional.
Taiwan's constitutional court would examine various countries practices of constitutional laws including the US's War Power Resolution and accordingly come to a conclusion that KMT and TPP's legislation that restricts President's power is constitutional.
With regard to this issue, some news articles predicts that, since all of judges of Taiwan's constitutional court are appointed by DPP, the court might rule that the legislation that restricts the power of the executive is unconstitutional, contradicting established constitutional law theories. [9]
Under such circumstances, China should immediately mobilize pro-KMT law professors and legal experts in Taiwan as well as experts in a constitutional law in various countries, and make pro-KMT book-publishers and newspaper companies publish a large number of books and articles to spread the facts and information that the legislation is completely legal and constitutional, so that the overwhelming majority of Taiwan people would support the legislation and that Taiwan's constitutional court would not be able to rule that it's unconstitutional.
This is not interference in other nation's internal affairs at all as Taiwan is a part of China.
3. The Legislative Yuan's prohibiting the Taiwan President's declaration of independence is legally, logically and legitimately constitutional
Furthermore, it is probable and possible for the the Legislative Yuan to restrict the power of the President even more for the benefits of the Taiwan people.
For example, the Legislative Yuan can enact a legislation that strictly prohibits the President from declaring the independence of Taiwan.
[The Legislative Yuan (The Taiwan Legislature)]
[The Legislative Yuan (The Taiwan Legislature)]
Such a law would be legally and logically constitutional. Let me explain.
First of all, according to article 63 of Taiwan Constitution, the Legislative Yuan shall have the power to decide by resolution upon declaration of war. The Taiwan Constitution provides that declaration of war is within the power of the Legislative Yuan, not the power of the Taiwan President. [10]
Now, please look at article 8 of China's "Anti-secession Law". It stipulates, "In the event that the "Taiwan independence" secessionist forces should act under any name or by any means to cause the fact of Taiwan's secession from China, or that major incidents entailing Taiwan's secession from China should occur, or that possibilities for a peaceful reunification should be completely exhausted, the state shall employ non-peaceful means and other necessary measures to protect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity.". [11]
Article 8 of China's "Anti-secession Law" means that, if Taiwan becomes independent and its secession from China occurs, China will automatically and surely employ non-peaceful means, i.e., military means, and immediately start a war against Taiwan.
Actually, China has been repeatedly warning to that effect.
Therefore, if the Taiwan President makes "the declaration of the independence of Taiwan", it constitutes and is precisely equal to "the declaration of war against China", which is not within the power of the Taiwan President but within the power of the Legislative Yuan.
Thus, the Legislative Yuan can enact a legislation that strictly prohibits the Taiwan President to declare the independence of Taiwan.
As a matter of fact, given enormous military power of China, a war against China obviously means complete destruction of Taiwan and annihilation of the Taiwan people. Therefore, for the purpose of protecting lives and rights of the Taiwan people, it is not only legal and logical but legitimate too that the Legislative Yuan enacts a legislation that strictly prohibits the President from declaring the independence of Taiwan.
In fact, the overwhelming majority (over 80%) of the Taiwan people supports status qua and oppose the immediate independence of Taiwan. So, such a law would exactly suit the demand of the Taiwan people. [12]
Moreover, the Legislative Yuan can enact a legislation that prohibits the President from taking actions which lead to independence of Taiwan because such actions could invite China into a war against Taiwan. For example, for the Taiwan President to visit the US and meet with the US government officials implies Taiwan is to be an independent country. The independence of Taiwan means a war with China and destruction of Taiwan. Therefore, the Legislative Yuan can enact a legislation that prohibits the President from visiting the US even for a transit purpose.
Also, for the Taiwan President to welcome foreign countries' government officials or legislators implies that Taiwan is to be an independent country. Therefore, the Legislative Yuan can enact a legislation that prohibits the President from welcoming foreign countries' government officials or legislators.
4. Impeachment of the President
However, being a puppet most obedient and loyal to the US in Taiwan history, the Taiwan President Lai Ching-te might recklessly dare to declare the independence of Taiwan despite legislative prohibitions, or the US might force him to declare the independence of Taiwan, with allowing him no objection, at the most favorable time for the US.
In that event, the Legislative Yuan should immediately pass a resolution that negates and nullifies the President's declaration of independence. The resolution should also affirm that a declaration of independence, which, as a matter of fact, constitutes the declaration of war, is within the power of the Legislative Yuan and that it is for the Legislative Yuan to determine it.
More essentially, after enactment of legislations that restrict the President' power, if the President violates the prohibitions thereof, the Legislative Yuan should strongly censure him and ultimately impeach the President so as to remove him from the presidency because such a violation endangers Taiwan people's lives and safety and, therefore, could be deemed as reckless "high treason or rebellion".
The amendments (the fourth revision) of the Taiwan constitution adopted on July 18, 1997 granted the Legislative Yuan powers of impeachment. [13]
It says, "The power to impeach the president or the vice president shall be transferred from the Control Yuan ([AN] the supervisory and auditory branch of the government of the Republic of China) to the Legislative Yuan, and such action shall be initiated for 'high treason or rebellion' only."
5. Getting Taiwan SMEs on China's side is crucial
Now, more fundamentally and politico-economically, for the purpose of ensuring a peaceful reunification of Taiwan, China can work on Taiwan's SMEs (small and medium enterprises) and get them on China's side by offering more favorable terms and conditions of contracts compared to Taiwan's big companies or the US, Japan or any other countries' companies. China can offer better prices, larger amounts of purchases, longer contract periods and so on to snatch and get Taiwan's SMEs. Without human and financial resources, the US can not stop it.
Actually, Taiwan's SMEs are more numerous in their employees than Taiwan's big companies. According to the White Paper of the Taiwan government on Small and Medium Enterprises in Taiwan, 2022, Taiwan had more than 1.59 million small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as of 2021, and SMEs employ 9.2 million people, representing more than 80 percent of the total workforce. Considering that Taiwan's population is approximately 24 million, SMEs' employees and their family members constitute the overwhelming majority of Taiwan voters. So, getting Taiwan SMEs on China's side is decisive to ensure a peaceful reunification of Taiwan. [14]
[A fish processing factory in Taiwan]
[A luggage factory in Taiwan]
By getting Taiwan SMEs on China's side, China can get the majority of Taiwan population on China's side. It might be called a Taiwan version of China's "people's warfare". In this case, it is a political and economic warfare rather than military warfare.
China can apply the methods of poverty alleviation that China used domestically, which is essentially job creation, connecting regions to another regions and connecting demand and supply.
China might be able to even get Taiwan SMEs that are manufacturing critical parts for TSMC too, which will enable China to control TSMC's supply chain.
Accordingly, Taiwan SMEs standing on China's side would become a very strong and solid political constituents that support and hail the above mentioned legislations that restricts the President's power.
Again, this is not interference in other nation's internal affairs at all as Taiwan is a part of China.
6. Cultural, Judicial and Clandestine Warfare over Taiwan
In addition, China can facilitate more cooperative and amicable people to people relations between China and Taiwan by holding large numbers of various events, dialogue and symposiums. For example, More than 7,000 compatriots from Taiwan have gathered in Fujian for the 16th Straits Forum held in Xiamen, Fujian Province, China. [15][16]
Incidentally, as Taiwan is a part of China, China can apply China's domestic laws and punish separatists in Taiwan.
In June 2024, China's Supreme People's Court, Supreme People's Procuratorate, and ministries of public security, state security, and justice jointly issued guidelines on imposing criminal punishments on diehard "Taiwan independence" separatists for conducting or inciting secession, which allows death penalty and a trial in absentia in relevant cases. [17]
[Officials of China's Supreme People's Court, Supreme People's Procuratorate, and ministries of public security, state security, and justice announcing guidelines on imposing criminal punishments on diehard "Taiwan independence" separatists]
Also, China's intelligence organizations, collecting SIGINT and HUMINT, would be able to detect DPP's scandals such as abuse of the government's fund and disclose them one after another through Taiwan media and the Internet, which would steadily weaken Taiwan people's trust in DPP.
Once again, this is not interference in other nation's internal affairs at all as Taiwan is a part of China.
How the US would react to the unstoppable tendency of peaceful reunification of China and Taiwan?
As the Legislative Yuan effectively prevents and neutralizes the US's plot, the US would be frustrated and furious against the Legislative Yuan. So, in an attempt to eliminate the Legislative Yuan, the US might try to launch a coup in Taiwan by mobilizing the Taiwan military and get all the KMT and TPP members of the Legislative Yuan arrested.
But, China's intelligence organizations will surely notice such a US attempt in advance and thwart a coup by making KMT and TPP legislators to publicly disclose the plot so that all the military officers involved in the plot will be arrested before a coup.
Yet again, this is not China's interference in other nation's internal affairs at all as Taiwan is a part of China. Actually, it is China's legal and legitimate efforts to repel the US's ugly interference in China's internal affairs.
Looking back the history, in Europe in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, merchants and bourgeoisie including Jewish rich people gradually and steadily expanded their influence over politics through the legislature, making their representatives elected to the legislature, and finally conquered the executive.
Now, China can use the method for the purpose of reunification of Taiwan.
Ultimately, with the majority of the Taiwan SMEs being in favor of reunification, the Taiwan Legislative Yuan would be able to make a resolution, declaring that Taiwan is a province of China, which Taiwan President would have to accept and obey.
Then, the US's plot to break out a Taiwan war would be completely crushed and destroyed forever.
7. A peaceful reunification of China and Taiwan is the only choice for the mankind
Watching Ukraine War, Taiwan people should realize that what the US wants to do is to make Taiwan a Ukraine in Asia.
Do Taiwan people believe that the US really cares Taiwan and Taiwan people's lives and rights? The answer is negative. The US government regards Taiwan people merely as a handy tool to disturb and attack China and increase demand for US weapons in the region. The US government even doesn't regard Taiwan people as human beings. The US government wouldn't care how many Taiwan people die just like it doesn't care how many Ukrainians die.
If Taiwan maintains an ambiguous position on reunification and, thereby, keeps trying to draw out benefits from both China and the US, Taiwan would soon face catastrophe and destruction of a Taiwan war. Devastating effects of a Taiwan war to the world would far more exceed those of Ukraine War.
A peaceful reunification of China and Taiwan is the only choice not only for China and Taiwan but the world as well, which will ensure China, Taiwan and the region to have solid peace and prosperity in the coming centuries.
Thank you.
References:
(1) Inaugural Address of ROC 16th-term President Lai Ching-te, May 20th 2024, Office of the President, Republic of China (Taiwan)
(2) "Ex-Trump official suggests need for U.S. force realignment to address China threat", July 16th 2024, Yonhap News
(3) "Pentagon, Chinese analysts agree US can’t win in Taiwan Strait", December 6th 2022, Reuters
(4) "America can’t afford to ignore the logistics triad", July 2023, The Brookings Institution
(5) "Taiwan’s parliament passes bill pushing pro-China changes", May 28th 2024, Al Jazeera
(6) 「台湾の内閣、議会権限強化法の再審議要求を決定 野党主導で可決も『憲法違反』」、２０２４年６月６日、産経新聞
(7) "DPP caucus formally requests injunction, ruling on oversight laws", June 26th 2024, Focus Taiwan
(8) War Powers Resolution, Wikipedia
(9) 「野党主導の国会権限強化法施行 政権反発、機密流出懸念も―台湾」
、２０２４年６月２６日、時事通信
(10) The Constitution of the Republic of China (Taiwan), Laws & regulations Database of the Republic of China (Taiwan)
(11) "Anti-Secession Law adopted by NPC (full text)", March 14th 2005, China Daily
(12) "Over 80% of Taiwanese favor maintaining status quo with China: survey", February 23rd 2024, Focus Taiwan
(13) The Constitution of the Republic of China (Taiwan), The Office of the President of the Republic of China (Taiwan)
(14) "SMEs Serve as the Backbone of Taiwan's Stable Economic Development", The Ministry of Economic Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan)
(15) "Main meeting of 16th Straits Forum in Xiamen", June 15th 2024, Xinhua
(16) "Defending One-China: 7,000 Taiwan compatriots gather in Fujian for cultural and economic exchanges", June 16th 2024, CGTN
(17) "China issues judicial guidelines on criminal punishment on diehard ‘Taiwan independence’ forces", June 22nd 2024, The Global Times
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect nor represent the policy or position of any government, party, or organization.