Beijing is expected to invite roughly 3,000 Taiwan Army Academy alumni to visit Guangdong. The move is likely an effort to take the spotlight regarding the approaching 100th anniversary of the Whampoa Military Academy’s foundation on May 1, 2024.
Veteran’s Affairs Council Minister Feng Shih-kuan (馮世寬) spoke on the matter while attending the Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee at the Legislature. Feng said that China is not qualified to host Whampoa commemorative activities, stating further that this is a political tactic, and that he doesn’t believe many people will attend.
Feng says that what attracts people to Taiwan is the country’s social stability and harmony. He views accepting Beijing’s invitation as unpatriotic and disruptive to that harmony, emphasizing that retired officials who insist on attending on the other side of the Taiwan Strait cannot represent Taiwanese people.
Regarding the increasing aircraft interference in Taiwan, Feng says these Chinese displays not only attempt to deter Taiwan by show of force but also attempt to show China’s strength to Japan and the USA. He points out that after many tiresome years of this repeated behavior, political resolution should be sought.