Sun, Apr 20, 2025 page8

• Overstepping what unification is

  • By John Cheng
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  Over the past few years, the concept of the “great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation” has become central in the political narrative of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), especially under Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平). While many Chinese in and outside China embrace the idea of national pride and cultural revival, there remains a persistent fallacy: Rejuvenation must involve political unification with Taiwan. This notion, perpetuated by the CCP, is not only misleading, but deeply damaging to the spirit of what rejuvenation means.

  People must distinguish clearly between the state of “China” (中國) and the broader cultural concept of the “Chinese nation” (中華民族). The former refers to the geopolitical entity ruled by the CCP; the latter describes a vast and diverse community of people who identify with Chinese culture, heritage and values — regardless of nationality, politics or geography. This includes not only the Han majority and China’s 55 recognized ethnic minorities, but also overseas Chinese communities that have preserved their traditions.

  Taiwan represents a unique case. Politically distinct for more than seven decades, it has developed a democratic system, civil society and cultural identity of its own, yet retains strong historical and cultural ties to Chinese civilization. Traditional Chinese characters are still in use, festivals are widely celebrated, and values such as filial piety and humility remain deeply rooted.

  The fallacy lies in believing that “rejuvenation” requires bringing Taiwan under the control of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). This assumption is not only flawed, but morally troubling. It equates cultural pride with political conformity.

  More importantly, it ignores the will of Taiwanese. Decades of polling show a consistent preference for maintaining the “status quo.” This is not a rejection of Chinese culture, but a conscious decision to protect democracy, civil liberties and human rights. For many in Taiwan, unification under the CCP regime means authoritarianism, censorship and the erosion of hard-won freedoms.

  As a Hong Konger, I can attest firsthand to these fears. We were promised “50 years of no change” under “one country, two systems.” What we received instead was a swift dismantling of our freedoms. The National Security Law crushed dissent. Newspapers shut down. Opposition members were jailed. Civil society was silenced.

  To claim that rejuvenation requires unification is to misunderstand cultural revival. Rejuvenation means restoring pride and vitality to a people and their way of life. It means preserving tradition while allowing Chinese civilization to flourish in the modern world. Chinese diaspora communities in North America, Southeast Asia and Europe contribute immensely to the global understanding of Chinese culture. They teach their children the language, celebrate Lunar New Year and maintain ancestral traditions. They are part of the Chinese nation. Are they to be “unified” as well? Of course not.

  Likewise, Taiwan does not need to be politically absorbed to be part of the Chinese nation. Its vibrant culture, democratic institutions and technological achievements arguably contribute more meaningfully to the modern face of Chinese civilization than a coerced unification ever could.

  The most dangerous aspect of the unification narrative is the idea that military force might be a justifiable path. How can the killing of fellow Chinese and the trauma of war be part of rejuvenation?

  That is not revival — it is regression. It recalls an age of imperialism and warlordism, not the moral philosophy of Confucius or the humanism rooted in Chinese thought.

  The global consequences of such an invasion would be catastrophic. China would face sanctions, diplomatic isolation and possible prolonged conflict. Any perceived gain would come at the cost of international condemnation and internal disillusionment. The idea of a united Chinese nation would be forever stained by the violence used to pursue it.

  Political sovereignty and cultural identity are not the same. Taiwan can be politically autonomous while remaining part of the Chinese cultural world. This is not betrayal — it is reality. Embracing such diversity is far more consistent with the spirit of rejuvenation than enforcing uniformity through coercion.

  If Xi’s vision truly seeks to uplift Chinese and restore the dignity of Chinese civilization, then it must make space for diversity, dissent and different paths to modernity. Rejuvenation should be about excellence, not obedience; flourishing, not fear; unity in values, not uniformity in politics.

  Those who believe the “great rejuvenation” must include Taiwan’s political absorption are embracing a narrow and ultimately destructive vision. The real rejuvenation of the Chinese nation lies in celebrating the resilience, creativity and moral depth of Chinese culture — wherever it lives and however it is expressed. It lies in building bridges, not walls; in healing wounds, not opening new ones.

  History will judge us not by the lines we draw on maps, but by the values we choose to uphold. Let rejuvenation be a renaissance of spirit — not a campaign of conquest.

  John Cheng is a retired businessman from Hong Kong residing in Taiwan.
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