Photo taken on July 21, 2019 from Xiangshan Mountain shows the Taipei 101 skyscraper in Taipei, Southeast China's Taiwan. Photo: Xinhua

With regard to several acute issues about the Taiwan Straits, I would like to make some comments.

First, has the mainland's military deterrence against the island worked? Of course it worked. Both the US and the island of Taiwan are nervous about the prospect of a military attack from the Chinese mainland taking place within a few years. Those who do not understand this should be cautious about expressing their opinions on the situation across the Taiwan Straits.

Second, in the game across the Taiwan Straits, one might ask: is the Chinese mainland on the offensive or is it the Taiwan authorities who really are? Of course the Chinese mainland is on the offensive. Precisely speaking, the DPP authority only flounders. Those who do not understand this demonstrate that they have tunnel vision of the situation across the Taiwan Straits.

Third, could the unification be achieved? Sure, because the mainland's military and economic capacity to achieve reunification is becoming stronger and stronger, and we have a strong strategic need to achieve this goal. After the reunification, the pattern of the first island chain will be completely broken. Our consumption of resources to deal with the Taiwan question will stop. As long as the Chinese mainland is determined to achieve reunification, nothing can stop us from doing so. 

Fourth, why has the Chinese mainland always stressed the importance of peaceful reunification? I think it is morality and peaceful reunification means a force at the highest level of international politics. Many people say that reunification is impossible for the Taiwan Straits to achieve peace, and this is also true. In fact, peaceful reunification is not a matter of easy negotiation. It is more likely a result from pressure. Beijing was liberated peacefully during the War of Liberation, but that peace was forced to accept when Fu Zuoyi, who surrendered the city to the PLA troops in 1949, had no other choice. Personally, I believe there is still a chance for peaceful reunification, but it must be based on the condition that the DPP authority feels cornered and will perish if they do not accept reunification.

Fifth, is there a timetable for that? I think when the reunification of the island is inevitable, the most important thing is not the timetable, but at which point and in which specific way the reunification breakthrough will be most beneficial to China's overall national strategy. The Chinese mainland is facing multiple missions including reunification, its comprehensive rise, and breaking US strategic containment pressure at the same time. These tasks need to be coordinated and promoted by each other.

Lastly, I would like to ask all the Chinese people to trust the leadership of the Party and the government in this great mission. Please trust that we are constantly moving in the right way toward the goal of national reunification.

The author is editor-in-chief of the Global Times. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn