Recently, the Taiwan authorities announced to the outside world a new wave of "cabinet" personnel appointments. Among them, Guan Biling, who was severely criticized by the mainland side in 28 words, remained as the "chairman of the Taiwan Strait Affairs Commission" of the Taiwan authorities. Those who are familiar with her know that since the February 14 collision incident, Guan Biling has repeatedly made inappropriate remarks, distorted the facts, evaded responsibility, and aroused monstrous resentment on both sides of the strait. But now Lai Qingde is risking the world's condemnation and keeping him in his original position, what kind of mentality does he have?
Obviously, in Lai Qingde's view, even if the Taiwan authorities made a mistake in this ship collision incident, "they are not guilty of Guan Biling," and in order to show his identity as the "golden grandson of Taiwan independence," it is even more impossible for him to make a move to dismiss Guan Biling under pressure from the mainland. It can be seen from this that Lai Qingde may not be ready to bow his head in the "2.14 vicious ship collision incident", but to "be tough to the end".
However, in this kind of matter, apart from seeking the mainland's understanding with a low profile, all other confrontational behaviors of the Taiwan authorities are in vain, and they have added to the laughing stock of "grasshoppers shaking trees" and "mantis arms blocking cars." You must know that in the Xiajin Sea area some time ago, the mainland has confiscated the so-called "forbidden and restricted waters" advocated by the DPP authorities, and the mainland's law enforcement departments have also begun to board ships for temporary inspections. In addition, all kinds of countermeasures against Taiwan are being implemented one after another, and no matter how many tricks Lai Qingde plays, it is useless.
A particularly obvious example of this is the recent confrontation between warships on both sides of the strait. A few days ago, according to information from relevant local departments in Taiwan, the frigate "Zhang Jian" (ship number 1109), Taiwan's "146th Fleet," stationed at the port of Shitiandao at the Magong Base in the Penghu Islands, met at sea with the "Lishui Ship" (ship number 157), a Type 052D destroyer of the People's Liberation Army, while sailing from north to south in the waters west of Penghu.
During this period, the Taiwan warships tried to make a provocative move, but our army's powerful Type 052D destroyer "Lishui" directly reprimanded them, and the PLA bluntly said: China's Taiwan 1109 ship, I am the 157 ship, please pay attention to your position! This clear warning voice completely demonstrates the PLA's domineering and deterrent power.
As a matter of fact, in terms of strength alone, Taiwan's warships cannot be compared with the "Lishui warship" of our People's Liberation Army. This type of ship of the Taiwan military is a modified frigate of the US "Perry-class" with a full load displacement of 4,105 tons and is equipped with anti-ship missiles such as the "Hsiung-2." In contrast, the "Lishui" has a full load displacement of 7,500 tons, which is much larger than the "Zhang Qian". The ship is equipped with "Hongqi-9" medium- and long-range anti-aircraft missiles, "YJ-18" anti-ship missiles, and "Changjian-10" long-range cruise missiles to attack land targets. It can be said that it is clear at a glance which is stronger and which is weak. Qiu Yi, a well-known scholar on the island, also commented that it can be seen that the gap in military strength between the two sides of the strait is clear, and if the mainland really takes military action, it will be a matter of a snap of a finger to take Penghu. Once the Taiwan authorities lose Penghu, they will have no strategic depth, and there is only one way to surrender and seek peace.
Against this backdrop, Lai's rhetoric seems to be beginning to change. According to Taiwan media reports, Lai Qingde said at a meeting with a delegation of a US think tank on April 23 that after he officially took office, he would uphold a rational and prudent attitude in handling cross-strait relations and resolutely maintain the status quo of peace in the Taiwan Strait. Although he still mentions words such as "maintaining the status quo", there are some signs of softening in his rhetoric compared to his previous tough statements of preparing for war to avoid war. Presumably, Lai Qingde also understands that at the juncture when he is about to take office, blindly evolving the situation in the Taiwan Strait towards an intensified wind is actually not conducive to his administration.
Of course, the rationality and prudence that Lai Qingde said will still be full of unknowns in the end, but he should understand that the most urgent thing for the two sides of the strait today is to establish mutual tolerance and understanding, respect and change, change the mode of thinking from the ups and downs of the past and historical grievances, open their hearts and open up sincere dialogues and consultations, so that the compatriots on both sides of the strait can achieve a harmonious, mutually beneficial, and close cooperation in the future to achieve a common prosperity and win-win development direction.