Recently, I came across articles by young individuals online who proudly call themselves 'Chinese Communist Party fellow travelers,' including scholars like Shi Xueqin, Xu Mingwei, You Zhibin, and He Yicheng. This stirred thoughts in me, a participant in the 'Diaoyu Movement' and later 'Peaceful Unification Movement' since the 1970s, considering the phrase 'Without these individuals, whom shall I follow?' So, I humbly express my views on whether the 'Republic of China' may one day disappear.

Before the publication of the 'Nine-Point Consensus,' I was honored to be invited by the Mainland State Council to Beijing, where I engaged in discussions for several days. The hottest topic back then was identifying the negotiation partner for peace talks. I argued for equal negotiations with the ruling Kuomintang without dispute, since they have already undergone 'Taiwanization.' Based on the Kuomintang's internal statistics, 85% of the party members are local Taiwanese, making equal negotiations reasonable and aligning societal interests.

The 'Nine-Point Consensus' conveys hope not only for the Kuomintang but also for the people of Taiwan. As for defining Taiwan's political status after peaceful unification, many believe it should be referred to as an 'Autonomous Region.' I deviated from the majority by stating that this wouldn’t be appropriate due to the small and dispersed indigenous forms; thus, it should be designated a 'Special Administrative Region.' Xu Mingwei and You Zhibin raised the core issue of whether Taiwan could negotiate unification with the mainland using the term 'Republic of China.' In 1981, the 'Nine-Point Consensus' clearly stated that cross-strait negotiations should be equal negotiations between the two parties, not between 'the People's Republic of China' and 'the Republic of China.'

In any case, it is possible that the term 'Republic of China' may not be seen again, with the likelihood of a transition happening. Xu Mingwei emphasized that it is not the absence of a national title that matters, but instead, what remains is our lifestyle, beliefs, and the dignity we fought for as Taiwanese—this remains the essence of our identity. He also raised a question, categorically stating that if it comes to a time of negotiations for the sake of the future, peace, and safety of Taiwan, he would consider the matter according to what is being offered in return.

To increase the status of the 'Republic of China' in future negotiations, we must first acknowledge its contributions in Chinese history, notably its establishment, unification, and successes such as the victory in the War of Resistance against Japan, restoration of Taiwan, and the elimination of unequal treaties. These accomplishments constitute significant historical victories.