Taiwan Rejects China's Unification Offers, Citing Systemic Differences

Taiwan Dismisses Beijing's Unification Incentives

Taipei, Taiwan – Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) announced on October 25, 2025, that the 'benefits after unification' promoted by Chinese authorities hold no appeal for the people of Taiwan. The statement came in response to a Beijing event commemorating the '80th anniversary of Taiwan's restoration to China,' where Chinese officials touted the advantages of unification. The MAC underscored that the fundamental issue in cross-strait relations is the profound systemic differences between the two sides.

Democracy Versus Authoritarianism: An Irreconcilable Divide

The MAC explicitly stated that the 'crux of cross-strait relations lies in systemic differences,' asserting that the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) offers are unattractive to the Taiwanese populace. 'We believe the essence of cross-strait relations is a contest of systems, where democracy and authoritarianism cannot be reconciled,' the council added. This position reflects a consistent sentiment among Taiwanese citizens. Public opinion polls have repeatedly shown a strong rejection of Beijing's 'one country, two systems' framework, with more than eight out of 10 Taiwanese disagreeing with the proposal. Furthermore, a significant majority of Taiwanese prefer maintaining the status quo, with a growing number favoring independence over unification.

China's Unification Vision and Proposed Benefits

China views Taiwan as an 'inalienable part of China' and has consistently promoted its 'one country, two systems' principle as the model for unification, a framework currently applied to Hong Kong and Macau. At the recent Beijing event, Chinese official Wang Huning, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, suggested that after 'peaceful unification,' Taiwan would benefit from the backing of a 'powerful motherland.' He indicated that seven areas in Taiwan, including economic development, energy and resource security, and security guarantees, would 'be better' under unification. China's Taiwan Affairs Office has also spoken of creating 'benefits to Taiwan compatriots' and encouraging their participation in 'Chinese-style modernization, national rejuvenation, and national unification.'

Contrasting Historical Narratives and Sovereignty Claims

The MAC's statement also addressed China's recent designation of October 25 as 'Commemoration Day of Taiwan's Restoration,' which Beijing uses to reinforce its claim over Taiwan. Taiwan, however, observes this date as 'Taiwan Retrocession Day,' commemorating the transfer of control from Japan to the Republic of China (ROC) on October 25, 1945, after 50 years of Japanese colonial rule. The MAC emphasized that this event predates the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in 1949 and has 'nothing to do with the PRC, nor with the CCP.' Taiwan's government maintains that 'neither side of the Taiwan Strait is subordinate to the other' and that the island's future must be determined by its 23 million people.

Ongoing Tensions in Cross-Strait Relations

The latest exchange highlights the persistent ideological and political chasm between Taipei and Beijing. Taiwan's firm rejection of China's unification offers underscores the island's commitment to its democratic way of life and self-governance. Concerns also remain regarding China's potential efforts to exert economic influence over sensitive Taiwanese islands, which Taipei views as attempts to chip away at its sovereignty.