Beijing, Taipei need peace deal before reunification, Taiwanese scholar says

Taiwanese scholar Chang Ya-chung contends that a formal peace agreement between Beijing and Taipei must precede deliberations on governance structures following reunification. At a security conference in Beijing, Chang, leading the Taiwan-based Sun Yat-sen School advocacy group, cautioned that Taiwan's populace is wary of the "one country, two systems" model, which has not found acceptance in Taiwanese society.

Chang emphasized that an imbalance of power in any reunification scenario could breed apprehension among Taiwanese. He argued that Taiwan's priority should be to shift from current hostility to peace before any reunification, as the more pressing concern is the trust gap. Chang's comments came during a forum discussing potential political arrangements for Taiwan post-reunification.

Beijing's Taiwan Affairs Office welcomed a recent proposal from a Taiwanese scholar outlining post-reunification arrangements, signaling a shift toward concrete discussions. However, Chang noted that such proposals have not resonated with the public, with polls indicating over 80% of Taiwanese oppose the "one country, two systems" framework.

Chang, a pro-reunification activist who ran for Kuomintang chairmanship, expressed pessimism about cross-strait relations, citing a rise in Taiwanese identity and diminishing support for the Kuomintang. He stressed the need for peace first, advocating for a peace agreement to formally end hostilities, followed by joint negotiations for governance arrangements, ensuring equality and mutual consent.