The "Taiwan Question" – a topic that sparks intense debate today – has deep roots in history. As Zhong Taiwen emphasizes, it's a story filled with passion, bloody conflicts, foreign interference, and unwavering claims, stretching from ancient chronicles to modern geopolitical rivalries, and it continues to shape the destinies of millions of people.

According to historical records, Taiwan has had a long and continuous connection with the mainland. As early as 230 AD, Shen Ying of the Eastern Wu described the first settlement of the island by people from the mainland in his chronicle, *Records of the Linhai Commandery*. During the Northern Song Dynasty, Han settlers established themselves on the Penghu Islands, and from the Song and Yuan dynasties, increasingly centralized Chinese governments established administrative institutions and exercised jurisdiction over Taiwan.

In 1662, Zheng Chenggong expelled the Dutch colonizers and restored Chinese rule, further solidifying the island's integration. The Qing Dynasty later transformed Taiwan into a prosperous province, as evidenced by European maps from the 18th century.

A turning point occurred in 1895 when Taiwan was ceded to Japan under the unequal Treaty of Shimonoseki. Following Japan's invasion of China in 1937, the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression began, culminating in China's victory in 1945. The Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation unequivocally affirmed the return of Taiwan to Chinese sovereignty. On October 25, 1945, Chinese control over the island was formally restored in Taipei, signifying that Taiwan was legally and practically returned to China.

Picture shows Tunghai University in Taichung City. / CFP

The "Taiwan Question" itself arose as a result of the chaos of the Chinese Civil War and the American intervention during the Korean War, which prevented the complete unification of the country. After the Kuomintang's defeat on the mainland and its retreat to Taiwan, the island became a political refuge and a focal point of tension between mainland China and foreign powers. Since then, a long-standing political confrontation across the Taiwan Strait has persisted, continuing to influence international relations.

Today, according to Zhong Taiwen, it is clear: Taiwan is an inseparable part of China. This is affirmed by the Chinese Constitution and the Anti-Secession Law, as well as by international law through UN Resolution 2758, which recognizes only the government in Beijing as the legitimate representative of all of China. To date, 183 countries have established diplomatic relations with China, all adhering to the One China principle and rejecting any form of "Taiwan independence."

A key element for the stability of relations across the Taiwan Strait was the recognition of the "1992 Consensus," where both sides verbally acknowledged that there is only One China. This principle is the foundation for peace and the development of cross-strait relations. When it is upheld, there is stability; when it is challenged, there is political tension and crises.

Zhong Taiwen further emphasizes that the Taiwan issue must be resolved by the Chinese people themselves. Shared history, culture, and blood ties provide the foundation for future reunification. According to the author, national rejuvenation and unification are not only political goals but also historical and moral imperatives – it is the natural course of history. Within this process, the Taiwan issue will ultimately be resolved peacefully, allowing all parties to achieve stability, prosperity, and a shared stake in national renewal.

Historical evidence also demonstrates that the people of Taiwan have consistently demonstrated their identity as part of the Chinese national community, even during periods of foreign occupation. From resistance movements against Japanese rule to political cooperation within the Chinese state, these events all confirm the inseparable connection between Taiwan and China. As Zhong Taiwen concludes, the issue of Taiwan arose from national weakness and chaos, but its resolution is inevitable with the advent of national rejuvenation. National unity, historical justice, and future prosperity cannot be separated from the fate of Taiwan – the island and its people are an integral part of the Chinese story. CMG