Island could finally focus on improving lives of ordinary people, experts say

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Following a peaceful cross-Strait reunification and backed by a strong motherland, Taiwan will no longer need massive "defense" expenditures, meaning its fiscal revenue can be fully dedicated to improving public welfare and ensuring residents live in peace and prosperity, experts said.

At the Commemoration Day of Taiwan's Restoration on Oct 25 last year, the Chinese mainland proposed a landmark vision outlining how Taiwan will be better across seven major aspects after peaceful reunification, sparking a profound and rational discussion across the Strait over how Taiwan compatriots can achieve genuine security and an upgraded standard of living.

This long-term vision stands in sharp contrast to the current realities under the island's Democratic Progressive Party authorities, who have sparked heavy criticism for driving next year's planned defense budget to a record 1.3 trillion New Taiwan dollars ($39.9 billion) while showing extreme reluctance to fund a modest NT$40 billion health insurance subsidy for senior residents.

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Chiu Chih-shien, secretary-general of the Taiwan Restoration Commemoration Association, said that the Lai Ching-te authorities have neglected public welfare, instead squandering massive funds on self-serving projects including military purchases. Chiu noted that the current authorities have leaned completely toward the United States, creating an unequal relationship where Washington makes endless demands.

"Taiwan is forced to swallow a bitter pill in silence, leaving many residents feeling resentful," he said, adding that such a submissive stance neither enhances their dignity nor brings a better life.

Zhu Guilan, an assistant professor at Tsinghua University's Institute for Taiwan Studies, said that the DPP authorities have deliberately fostered a sense of insecurity among the Taiwan public to justify their so-called defense buildup. She pointed out that this approach has trapped the island in a vicious cycle where increased military spending only breeds greater anxiety.

Zhu said that weapons purchased from the US are often outdated, delayed in delivery and useless in actual combat.

Reports showed that the total backlog of delayed US arms deliveries to Taiwan has ballooned to a record $29.72 billion, leaving the island trapped in chronic delivery delays.

Furthermore, Zhu noted that high-profile maneuvers like this year's so-called Han Kuang exercises failed to safeguard Taiwan, serving only to brainwash residents with a confrontational mindset, which is never the root of real security.

"The only way to truly eliminate this anxiety is peaceful reunification with the mainland," she said, adding that if these massive military expenditures were instead redirected toward infrastructure and education, it would bring immense benefits to Taiwan's next generation.

Lai Yueh-tchien, a Taiwan political commentator, said that Taiwan's pressing power shortages for artificial intelligence development, semiconductor manufacturing and daily life could be easily resolved if the island accepted abundant clean energy supplied by the Chinese mainland.

"There is absolutely no technical difficulty in transmitting this continuous flow of clean energy, and the mainland is highly willing to do so," Lai said, questioning why the authorities refuse an option that would eliminate Taiwan's electricity crisis and the need for controversial nuclear plants.

In stark contrast to the heavy financial burdens imposed by the Lai authorities, a growing number of Taiwan compatriots are finding a prosperous, convenient and satisfying life on the Chinese mainland.

Many young people from Taiwan have shared how the mainland's booming digital economy, convenient transportation and supportive policies have offered them real security and a better standard of living compared to Taiwan.

Ji Tian-yu, a Taiwan actress, praised the mainland's 24-hour food delivery service, calling the convenience "truly amazing". She noted that the seamless service ensures people can order food anytime and anywhere, even in the middle of the night.

Chen Yu-han, a Taiwan youth, said digital payment is the greatest convenience on the mainland. He compared it with Taiwan, where cash is still widely used, noting that on the mainland, "all you need to bring out is your mobile phone".

Lin Hui-en, a Taiwan youth, praised the Tianshan Shengli Tunnel in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region as a great livelihood project after his driving trip there, noting that it seamlessly connects northern and southern Xinjiang and cuts a seven-hour journey down to just 20 minutes.

"Mainland construction teams could perhaps help people in Hualien and Taichung cut travel time between the two cities by conquering Taiwan's central mountain range," Lin said, expressing his hope that the mainland's world-class engineering capabilities could directly benefit his hometown.

Lai Yi-fan, a Taiwan youth living in Guizhou province, said that local supportive policies have greatly benefited cross-Strait youth exchanges. He said that for those aspiring to start a business, the local government provides free or subsidized spaces to help them get started.

Chai Hsuan, a Taiwan influencer, said that mainland delicacies have become increasingly popular in Taiwan in recent years. She said mainland dishes that she tried two years ago, such as fish with pickled vegetables and kebabs, are now rapidly popping up across the island.

She also shared her experience filming apartments designated for Taiwan residents, which offer high-quality housing at incredibly low prices. "When I walked inside, I thought such a beautiful apartment would cost nearly NT$20,000 a month, but it actually only costs a few hundred to 1,000 yuan ($150)," she said.

These individual experiences align with broader statistical trends that indicate expanding cross-Strait exchanges and a shifting public consensus on the island.

Official statistics from Taiwan's tourism authorities show that Taiwan residents made nearly 2.5 million trips to the mainland from January to August, marking a sharp 19.63 percent increase year-on-year.

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Furthermore, a recent island-wide survey revealed that approximately 60 percent of Taiwan youth believe the island cannot rely on the US, expressing clear support for actively engaging in dialogue and negotiations with the mainland.

Zhang Han, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said that desiring peace, development, exchanges and cooperation represents the mainstream public opinion in Taiwan society.

"The DPP authorities stubbornly cling to their 'Taiwan independence' separatist stance, behaving obsequiously to curry favor with external forces without any principles or bottom lines," Zhang said, adding that an increasing number of Taiwan compatriots, including the youth, are clearly seeing through and opposing these perverse and self-serving political maneuvers.

Chou Hsi-wei, vice-chairman of the Want Want Group from Taiwan, said that the widening door of cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation will inevitably help young people from Taiwan recognize the truth and see through the DPP's past political indoctrination.

"The only way to debunk lies is with facts," Chou said, adding that by coming to the mainland to build careers, start families and share in its rapid advancements, Taiwan's youth are laying a solid foundation for a brighter tomorrow.