China’s Think Tank Proposes Shadow Taiwan Government Ahead of Forced Unification Plans
- Scholars at a think tank based in Xiamen have urged the government in Beijing to establish a shadow Taiwan government on the Chinese mainland to prepare for a...
- In a paper published in August 2024, the researchers argued that Beijing must proactively organize the administrative structures necessary to govern Taiwan following unification.
- “This proves imperative to prepare a plan for the comprehensive takeover of Taiwan after unification,”
Scholars at a think tank based in Xiamen have urged the government in Beijing to establish a shadow Taiwan government on the Chinese mainland to prepare for a potential full takeover of the island.
In a paper published in August 2024, the researchers argued that Beijing must proactively organize the administrative structures necessary to govern Taiwan following unification.
“This proves imperative to prepare a plan for the comprehensive takeover of Taiwan after unification,”
Scholars at a Xiamen-based think tank
The proposal arrived during a period of heightened tension for Beijing, following a third consecutive presidential election victory by the anti-China Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
Critique of Current Governance Assumptions
The paper was noted for its unusual candor regarding the challenges of integrating Taiwan, making several admissions that diverged from typical official narratives on the topic.
The scholars identified three primary obstacles to a successful transition of power:
- Increased Resistance: The researchers stated that opposition to unification within Taiwan had deepened rather than softened.
- Model Incompatibility: The paper argued that the governance model applied to Hong Kong after 1997 was ill-suited for application in Taiwan.
- Institutional Ignorance: The scholars claimed that many Chinese officials lacked a basic understanding of the social and political conditions currently existing on the island.
These admissions highlight a internal recognition among some academic circles in China that a military or political takeover would face significant administrative and social hurdles that current preparations may not address.
Despite the detailed nature of the proposal, the paper circulated only briefly before it was removed from the Chinese internet. This removal indicates the sensitivity of the subject matter and the rarity of such public admissions regarding the difficulties of governing Taiwan.