Chou Hsi-wei, vice chairman of Taiwan's Want Want Group Photo: Courtesy of Chou Hsi-wei

 

The strength of the Chinese mainland has created the conditions for reunification between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits, and Taiwan residents also sincerely hope to share in national glory and the dignity of a great power, a top executive from a leading company on the island told the Global Times. 

In an exclusive interview, Chou Hsi-wei, vice chairman of Taiwan's Want Want Group, lauded the comprehensive and great progresses made by the mainland in a wide range of areas from science and technology to the economy to culture, and stressed that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)'s lies have been exposed.

The interview came after the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress voted to designate October 25 as the Commemoration Day of Taiwan's Restoration, and several major articles published recently by the Xinhua News Agency clearly outlined the benefits of reunification, which prompted growing attention and discussions on reunification in Taiwan.

In terms of the benefits of reunification, Chou said that after reunification, Taiwan will no longer be manipulated by the US, will not need to spend so much money on high tariffs, and will no longer need to buy so many useless weapons; its own money will be used for its own benefit. Secondly, if reunification is not achieved, it will mean forcing a confrontation with one's own compatriots, he said.

"The DPP should be called traitors. They don't even recognize their ancestors and treat their fellow countrymen as enemies; aren't they traitors?" Chou said, noting that Taiwan residents need to adjust their mindset and perception, and think about how to embrace the mainland and face reunification.

Regarding development on the mainland, the Taiwan business executive highlighted great progresses made in various fields. He noted that the mainland offers preferential policies to Taiwan compatriots, and there are still many opportunities for Taiwan youth to start businesses and find employment. He also called on major businesses on the mainland to create more opportunities for Taiwan youth.

In recent years, the Chinese mainland has continued rolling out favorable policies to facilitate Taiwan compatriots doing business. For instance, the provincial government of East China's Fujian Province on Tuesday unveiled a package of 12 preferential policy measures for Taiwan compatriots, including support for opening Shaxian Delicacies restaurants and accessing funding and professional training.

In terms of commercial exchanges, Chou said that many industries on the mainland are vertically integrated and are more competitive than companies from the island, while Taiwan only has a semiconductor sector that is adequately consolidated. However, integrating some Taiwan industries that still hold leading positions globally with mainland companies would be a promising direction for the future, he said.

In addition, the mainland's development is comprehensive, with excellent avenues for cooperation in areas such as cultural creativity, agriculture, and environmental protection. "Beyond knowledge and technical expertise, I believe cultural and ideological exchanges are even more valuable, as both sides have much to learn from each other," Chou said. 

Notably, Chou said that Taiwan residents' attitudes toward the mainland have recently begun to change significantly. Firstly, the lies told by the DPP in the past are gradually being exposed, and Taiwan residents are beginning to awaken to the truth; Secondly, Taiwan residents are also becoming more inclined to pursue safety and avoid danger, and following the DPP would mean heading toward danger, he said. 

Commenting on the erroneous remarks made by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Chou said that they are "arrogant and ignorant." Some far-right elements in Japan have never forgotten the militarism of World War II and believe that Japan is now capable of confronting China. "This is a military misjudgment; they are like frogs in a well, ignorant of the outside world," he said.

As for reunification, Chou said that if both sides of the Straits have the opportunity to sit down and talk, it's easy to reach a consensus - the key is that the mainland is currently very powerful, and the current situation presents the best opportunity for peaceful reunification. He noted that if conflict does occur, Taiwan's final hurdle won't be military attack, but rather the collapse of morale and public support. For Taiwan residents, a peaceful resolution is undoubtedly the best option, he said. 

Regarding a recent poll that showed over 70 percent of residents on the island identify as Chinese, Chou said: "In Taiwan, who doesn't know they are Chinese? But in the past, people would hesitate when answering this question" because they might be targeted by the DPP authorities. 

Chou further noted that Taiwan residents are proud to be Chinese when seeing great achievements such as space exploration, the J-35 fighter jet, the aircraft carriers, and internationally impressive productivity and exports. "This sense of identity as Chinese, ingrained in their very being, is constantly being reinforced in the hearts of Taiwan residents," he said.  

The mainland's "glory" and "dignity" are comprehensive, Chou said. "It's not just about becoming a major military or economic power; it's about being a model student in all aspects, from infrastructure development and efficiency to the ambition of young people and efforts in environmental protection. The mainland people want to be a model student in the world in every way," he said.

"Taiwan residents feel proud to see these efforts, because we were once looked down upon and bullied. This sense of honor will bring us closer together, and the unity of our hearts is the most important thing," Chou said. 

Visitors browse products at the Sixth 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Exposition and the 25th Cross-Straits Fair for Economy and Trade in Fuzhou, East China's Fujian Province on May 22, 2023. Photo: VCG