Right after Taiwan's new leader Tsai Ing-wen assumed office, the pro-independence atmosphere has gained momentum. At a meeting in the "Legislative Yuan," Taiwan's new defense chief Feng Shih-kuan said he doesn't support independence. But he changed his statement after a Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislator questioned him, saying he would follow the people's will if the majority voted for independence.

The new "Minister of Education" also moved to abolish a series of rectifications to a distorted syllabus. The former Kuomintang (KMT) government revised the old syllabus that was laden with colonialism approved by Chen Shui-bian's administration. This is a great retreat. The DPP has also modified several policies and stands adopted by the former KMT government over both external and internal affairs. It seems that the Tsai government cannot wait to scrap the former government and make a new start.

The pro-independence atmosphere is permeating all DPP-controlled political platforms, and even becoming rampant, an abrupt change of political climate that is advocating openly for independence.

Tsai, as leader of Taiwan and her party, is responsible for this turnaround. Vowing to maintain the status quo in the cross-Straits relationship, she has failed to do so. But Taiwan is acting in a gradual way, out of fear of the Chinese mainland.

It is still unclear what role Tsai is playing in the process. Naturally, there are radical forces within Taiwan's political system, but what really matters is the overall inclination of the new government.

It doesn't matter whether Tsai colluded with these emerging pro-independence groups or she was forced to turn a blind eye, because the mainland will never accept the rise of de-Sinicization and pro-independence.

The mainland will respond firmly to Taiwan's aggressive moves under the new administration. The DPP should realize that just because they are the ruling party, it can't do whatever it wants. Above their heads is the Sword of Damocles - the Anti-Secession Law.

The mainland has various ways to strike against the pro-independence groups, and can end their farce once and for all according to the law. This is not an empty warning to these groups.

The mainland beat Chen Shui-bian down a few years ago, and it won't bother doing the same thing to the DPP.

If there is a showdown, the pro-independence groups will simply be a bug waiting to be crushed by a giant.

Taiwan independence stands no chance as China continues to rise. The pro-independence groups will either be marginalized by Taiwan people or be annihilated by the mainland. There won't be a third outcome.