China Promises Taiwan Broader Global Role Post-Reunification

Beijing — China’s Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) on Wednesday completed its months-long “seven betters” propaganda campaign, promising that after peaceful reunification, Taiwan’s international engagement channels would be “comprehensively broadened” and that Taiwanese compatriots would participate in global affairs as “masters” of their nation. The statement, delivered by TAO spokesperson Zhang Han at a routine press conference, represents the final installment of a systematic effort by Beijing to reassure Taiwanese residents about the benefits of unification under the “one country, two systems” framework.

The “Seven Betters” Campaign

Since early 2026, the TAO has been rolling out a coordinated propaganda initiative known as the “seven betters” (七个更好), designed to address Taiwanese concerns about unification by offering concrete promises across seven domains. Previous installments covered energy and resource security (April 1), infrastructure development (April 15), quality of life and national dignity (May 13), and security guarantees (June 10). According to Xinhua News, the campaign has drawn significant attention from media on both sides of the strait.

Wednesday’s final installment focused on international engagement — a particularly sensitive topic given Taiwan’s contested diplomatic status. Beijing maintains that under the One-China principle, Taiwan has no independent sovereignty and cannot maintain formal diplomatic relations with other nations.

Zhang Han’s Promises

Speaking at the June 24 press conference, Zhang Han stated that after peaceful reunification, “with a strong motherland as their backing, Taiwanese compatriots will share the dignity and glory of a great nation together with mainland compatriots.” She emphasized that Taiwanese people would “stand taller, have more confidence, be safer, and have more dignity internationally, enjoying unprecedented development opportunities.”

The spokesperson elaborated that Taiwan’s international engagement channels would be comprehensively broadened, with Taiwanese businesses deeply integrating into global supply chains and industrial chains. She also pledged that Taiwanese citizens overseas would “receive more convenient and smoother support and help from the motherland.”

In remarks reported by China Daily during a previous briefing in May, Zhang noted that an increasing number of people in Taiwan had been discussing the “one country, two systems” framework, with polls indicating nearly one-fourth of island residents accepting the model.

Broader Cross-Strait Context

The campaign comes amid heightened tensions under Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te’s administration, which Beijing accuses of pursuing de facto independence. At the same press conference, Zhang Han also addressed Lai’s recent sovereignty claims, stating that “no matter what Lai Ching-te says or does, it cannot change the historical and legal fact that Taiwan is part of China.” She characterized the Democratic Progressive Party as a “troublemaker” for regional peace and stability, as Xinhua reported.

Mixed Reception on the Mainland

While the TAO’s messaging targets Taiwanese audiences, its reception on the mainland has been notably skeptical. According to Vision Times, a clip of Zhang Han’s June 10 security briefing went viral on Douyin, China’s version of TikTok, receiving approximately 11,000 comments before being censored. The majority of comments were critical of the CCP’s unification pitch, with the most-liked comment — “We must absolutely never let Taiwan fall into the hands of thugs” — garnering over 7,000 likes. The clip’s subsequent censorship suggests a gap between official messaging and mainland public sentiment.

Analysis: A Strategic Shift

The completion of the “seven betters” series may signal a strategic evolution in Beijing’s cross-strait communications. Rather than relying solely on abstract appeals to national unity and historical destiny, the campaign represents an attempt to address practical Taiwanese concerns — energy security, infrastructure, living standards, and international status — through concrete promises. This benefits-focused approach acknowledges that winning hearts and minds in Taiwan requires more than political slogans.

However, the campaign faces significant headwinds. The Lai administration’s counter-narrative, the lack of direct engagement channels between Beijing and ordinary Taiwanese citizens, and the apparent skepticism even among mainland netizens all limit the campaign’s effectiveness. Moreover, Beijing’s simultaneous强硬 rhetoric against the DPP — including threats to punish Taiwanese businesses that participate in cross-strait forums — undercuts the conciliatory message of the “seven betters.”

What to Watch For

With the “seven betters” series now complete, observers will be watching for whether Beijing launches a follow-up campaign or shifts to a different communications strategy. Key questions include: Will the TAO provide more specific details about which international organizations or forums Taiwan would gain access to post-reunification? How will the Taiwanese public respond to these promises? And can Beijing sustain a positive messaging campaign while simultaneously escalating pressure on the Lai administration?

The coming months will test whether Beijing’s systematic approach to reassurance can gain traction — or whether the fundamental political impasse across the strait will render even the most carefully crafted promises ineffective.