bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

moreOnThisArticles

urlAlias

commentCount

sponsorType

authorLocations

authors

paywallTypes

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

socialHeadline

headline

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

publishedDate

additionalInfoBoxes

images

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

createdDate

sponsor

factSheets

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

copyrighted

customTimezone

liveContents

Amber Wang

A mainland Chinese research institute has suggested Beijing set up a “shadow government” so that it is ready to govern Taiwan after unification.
The proposal from the Cross-Strait Institute of Urban Planning at Xiamen University was made in an article recently posted to social media network WeChat that was later taken down.
“It is imperative to prepare a plan for the comprehensive takeover of Taiwan after unification,” the research institute said in the article, which sets out a proposed power transition for the island.
It also said the complex international environment – including the potential re-election of Donald Trump as US president in November – could accelerate Beijing’s unification timeline, without elaborating.
The article offers a rare glimpse of the discussions going on in mainland China over the future of self-ruled Taiwan, which Beijing sees as part of its territory and to be brought under its control – by force if necessary.
Most countries do not recognise Taiwan as an independent state but oppose any attempt to seize the island.


The Xiamen research institute – part of the university’s architecture and civil engineering school – confirmed that it wrote the article and said it would be reposted later, but declined an interview request.
Two mainland Chinese academics who focus on Taiwan were sceptical about the proposal which they said was not practical.
The institute suggested in the article that a “Central Taiwan Work Committee” be set up to function as a “shadow government” that could be ready to assume control of the island’s administration at any moment.
It said the committee should look at issues such as applicable laws, currency conversion and infrastructure integration between the two sides.
Its role would also include uniting anti-independence forces on the island and encouraging Taiwanese to take part in discussions on the takeover plan.
“As the mainland’s military strength grows, the difficulty of unification itself is decreasing, and effective control after unification will become increasingly important,” the article said.
Relations between Beijing and Taipei remain strained after William Lai Ching-te, from the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party, took over as Taiwan’s leader in May.
Beijing has for decades proposed a “one country, two systems” model to govern Taiwan but has never released a detailed plan about how it would be done.
Chinese President Xi Jinping called for a “two systems” solution on Taiwan in 2019, saying Beijing would consider the island’s reality, as well as views and proposals from both sides.
Beijing elaborated on that in a white paper in 2022, saying Taiwan would have a “high degree of autonomy” as a special administrative region after unification, and that its social system and way of life would be respected. It did not say whether there would be changes to Taiwan’s political system.
Taipei has rejected the proposal.




In the article, the Xiamen institute also suggested that Taiwan governance pilot zones be set up on the mainland and that new systems planned for Taiwan should draw on lessons learned from Hong Kong.
“The recent unrest in Hong Kong shows that the one country, two systems approach of fully accepting the existing system is not necessarily suitable for Taiwan,” the article said. “Taiwan should aim to fully integrate into the mainland from the beginning.”
It said the pilot zone could be established in coastal cities such as Xiamen and Quanzhou in Fujian, which are across the strait from Taiwan and share similar language and culture.
The institute said the zones could be used to simulate the post-unification governance model – including for elections, language and education – to put policies to the test and train the cadres who will run the island.
“Hong Kong’s role as a model [for one country, two systems] has become a lot less persuasive on the island,” the article said, noting that a new model was needed.
While Beijing insists that the one country, two systems framework has been successful in Hong Kong, Taiwan’s three main political parties have all rejected the plan, citing its failure in the city.


Chinese film about Covid lockdown wins top prize in 2024 Golden Horse awards in Taiwan

Taiwan’s William Lai slides in popularity, plagued by political turmoil

How will Donald Trump handle Taiwan? Beijing sees hawkish signs as analysts are divided

Pet-friendly services on right road for Hong Kong

Taiwan

Beijing should set up ‘shadow government’ ready to run Taiwan, academics say

An article posted on social media and later deleted offers a rare glimpse of the discussions going on in mainland China over the future of self-ruled Taiwan. Photo: EPA-EFE

Does a deal over 2 fishermen mean Taiwan and mainland China are ready to restart talks?

Taiwanese coastguards inspect a vessel that capsized during a chase off the coast of the Quemoy archipelago on February 14. Photo: Taiwan Coast Guard Administration via AP

Taiwan’s Ma Ying-jeou warns of ‘crippling’ cost of paying US ‘protection money’ under Trump

Paying “protection money” to the US would be a crippling cost for Taiwan, says former leader Ma Ying-jeou. Photo: Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence/AFP

Former Taiwanese leader Ma Ying-jeou addresses the Chinese Association in Thailand in Bangkok on Sunday. Photo: CNA

Taiwan says PLA drones circled for hours, after Japan-Philippine naval drills nearby

PLA drone flights around the entire island of Taiwan are rarely reported, but such missions have been “regularised”, according to one observer. Photo: Handout

News

China

Politics

In an article on social media, mainland Chinese research institute says a plan is needed for ‘comprehensive takeover’ of the island after unification


In an article on social media, mainland Chinese research institute says a plan is needed for ‘comprehensive takeover’ of the island after unification.


Taiwan economy

Diplomacy