At a recent security conference in Beijing, Chang Ya-chung, head of the Taiwan-based Sun Yat-sen School, proposed that Beijing and Taipei prioritize a formal peace deal. Chang argued that such an agreement is a necessary precursor to any substantive discussions regarding the political future of the island. He emphasized that building trust must precede negotiations on post-reunification arrangements.

Chang specifically addressed the 'one country, two systems' framework, which Beijing has previously proposed as a model for Taiwan, similar to its application in Hong Kong and Macau. According to Chang, this formula has failed to gain traction or resonance within Taiwanese society. He suggested that for reunification to be a viable topic of discussion, the process must move beyond existing models that are viewed with skepticism by the Taiwanese public.

The proposal highlights a potential shift in how cross-strait relations might be approached, moving away from immediate political integration toward a structured peace process. While the scholar’s comments were made at a Beijing-based event, they reflect ongoing internal debates in Taiwan regarding how to manage relations with the mainland while maintaining domestic political stability. The suggestion underscores the significant gap between Beijing’s preferred reunification models and the current political climate in Taipei, where public support for such frameworks remains low.