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Tag: Taiwan Unification

Dynastic Differences

China’s state-backed film The Battle of Penghu (澎湖海戰), set for 2026 release, depicts the Qing dynasty’s 1683 defeat of Ming loyalists in Taiwan under the slogan “Unifying Taiwan is unstoppable.” But the reception of the promotional trailer, released on October 25, reminded authorities that history is never so simple. Some Chinese online criticized the film for celebrating the Qing’s conquest while sympathizing with Ming loyalists, according to Taiwan’s Central News Agency. One commenter sarcastically suggested Beijing might also make a film about Wu Sangui (吳三桂), the Ming general who infamously opened the gates for Qing forces. Authorities have since blocked negative comments on social media.

Bullying Bylines

China’s government-run Xinhua News Agency published three consecutive commentaries on October 26, 27, and 28 under the byline “Zhong Taiwen” (鍾台文), a homophone for “China Commentary on the Taiwan Issue.” The articles called for cross-strait negotiations on a “one country, two systems” arrangement with “patriots governing Taiwan” (愛國者治台) after unification. Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council responded that Beijing seeks to replicate Hong Kong’s model where “patriots” means Communist Party loyalists, and warned that “Taiwanese will not be fooled.”