Cross-Strait Scholars Meet in Wuxi on Reunification Path

More than 50 scholars from both sides of the Taiwan Strait convened in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, on August 7 for the 12th Cross-Strait Think Tank Academic Forum, where participants examined the evolving Taiwan Strait situation and discussed strategies for advancing the complete reunification of the motherland. The forum, themed “Era Changes and the Future of Cross-Strait Relations,” was co-organized by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) Institute of Taiwan Studies, the National Taiwan Studies Association, Xiamen University’s Taiwan Research Institute, and Taiwan’s 21st Century Foundation, according to Xinhua News.

A Forum Rooted in a Decade of Exchange

The Cross-Strait Think Tank Academic Forum series, established in 2014, has become one of the most important regular platforms for academic exchange between scholars across the strait. Previous editions have been held in Beijing, Guilin, Hangzhou, Zhongshan, and Xiong’an, with the 11th forum taking place in November 2025 in Xiong’an, Hebei, under the theme “Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of Taiwan’s Retrocession.” The CASS Institute of Taiwan Studies documented that edition’s discussions on the evolving security landscape and cross-strait dynamics.

The 2026 edition arrives at a pivotal moment. The year began with the resumption of institutionalized Kuomintang (KMT)-Communist Party of China (CCP) think tank exchanges after a decade-long hiatus in February, followed by President Xi Jinping’s meeting with KMT Chairman Zheng Liwen in April. The US-China relationship was redefined as a “constructive strategic stability relationship” following the Xi-Trump summit in Beijing in May, reshaping the geopolitical context in which cross-strait relations operate.

Positive Shifts in the Taiwan Strait Situation

Sun Yafu, Vice President of the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait (ARATS), told the forum that this year has brought “positive changes favorable to the development of cross-strait relations.” He cited the KMT’s clear attitude toward developing relations with the mainland, the establishment of the US-China constructive strategic stability relationship, and the mainland’s firm grasp of overall work on Taiwan affairs as contributing factors. Sun also noted that law enforcement patrols in eastern Taiwan waters have served as a strong deterrent to “Taiwan independence” separatist forces, as reported by Xinhua.

Wang Weixing, Vice President of the National Taiwan Studies Association, delivered a more emphatic message: “Unification is not a choice, but an inevitability.” He argued that the space for Taiwan authorities to “rely on the US to seek independence” is being compressed, the path of “resisting unification by force” has completely lost its way, and the trend of “integration leading to unification” is unstoppable. “The trend of national unification cannot be blocked,” Wang said, “this is determined by the times, the situation, and justice of the Chinese nation’s march toward great rejuvenation.”

Taiwan Scholars Call for Joint Exploration

Gao Sibo, Vice Chairman of Taiwan’s 21st Century Foundation, represented the Taiwan-based perspective at the forum. He urged scholars from both sides to “base themselves on the current situation and jointly explore the path of peaceful development and cooperation across the strait.” Gao expressed confidence that the forum’s in-depth exchanges would “generate more forward-looking research and policy recommendations, providing richer rational thinking for future peaceful unification.”

His participation underscores the continued importance of Taiwan-based institutions in cross-strait academic exchanges despite political tensions, and reflects a broader trend of renewed engagement between the two sides through think tank channels.

The “Three-Stage Theory of Unification”

Zhu Weidong, Director of the CASS Institute of Taiwan Studies, offered the forum’s most substantive analytical contribution, proposing a “Three-Stage Theory of Unification” as a framework for understanding the unification process. The framework encompasses three dimensions: goal theory, process theory, and stage theory, which together trace the evolution from strategic preparation through strategic stalemate to strategic decision.

According to China News Service, Zhu described the current phase as the “late stage of the strategic stalemate phase,” characterized by extremely complex and acute struggle. He argued that “unification is both a goal and a process, both a noun and a verb, and is even in the present continuous tense,” adding that “accelerating ‘Taiwan independence’ is accelerating unification; the end of ‘Taiwan independence’ is unification.”

Zhu also elaborated on his earlier concept of “unification without formal unification” (不统而统), first proposed in June at the Cross-Strait Youth Scholars Forum in Hangzhou. He clarified that the concept does not mean “maintaining the status quo” or abandoning the unification goal, but rather emphasizes “unification in the present continuous tense” and a gradual path of shaping unification momentum. As Hong Kong 01 analyzed, this represents a strategic shift in Beijing’s approach—neither rushing toward formal unification nor passively waiting, but actively shaping conditions favorable to unification.

Analysis: A Long-Term, Phased Approach

The forum’s proceedings reveal a Beijing that is increasingly confident in its ability to shape cross-strait dynamics over the long term. Zhu’s “Three-Stage Theory” suggests a sophisticated understanding that unification will not occur overnight but will unfold through identifiable phases, with the mainland using integrated development, diplomatic countermeasures, and military deterrence to progressively compress space for “Taiwan independence” while winning over Taiwan public opinion.

This phased approach is reflected in the broader 2026 context. Taiwan polls reportedly show 50-60% of respondents open to negotiations with the mainland on peaceful unification, while the mainland has continued law enforcement patrols in eastern Taiwan waters as a deterrent measure. The resumption of KMT-CCP exchanges and the Xi-Zheng meeting in April signal that Beijing is pursuing multiple channels—party-to-party, academic, and economic—in parallel with its security posture.

However, as Hong Kong 01’s analysis noted, significant variables remain. Taiwan’s internal political identity changes may not develop linearly in the direction Beijing hopes, and Beijing’s increasingly precise pressure tactics could strengthen international concerns about Chinese influence expansion. The “unification without formal unification” concept, while strategically sophisticated, ultimately represents a unilateral shaping strategy whose effectiveness depends on factors beyond Beijing’s direct control.

What to Watch Next

The 12th Cross-Strait Think Tank Academic Forum signals that Beijing continues to prioritize academic and think tank channels as part of its cross-strait engagement strategy. The participation of Taiwan-based scholars through the 21st Century Foundation demonstrates that exchange channels remain active despite political tensions.

Looking ahead, observers will be watching several developments: the trajectory of KMT-CCP exchanges following the February resumption and April Xi-Zheng meeting; how the “constructive strategic stability relationship” between the US and China affects Taiwan-related dynamics; and whether Zhu Weidong’s analytical frameworks gain traction in shaping policy discussions. The forum’s emphasis on “advancing complete national reunification” reflects the mainland’s continued commitment to its stated goal, pursued through a patient, multi-dimensional strategy that seeks to reshape the political reality of the Taiwan Strait before formal unification occurs.