Overreaction to Taipei rail proposal

The proposed construction of high-speed railway linking Beijing and Taipei, revealed in the draft outline of the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20), if implemented, would mark a positive step toward promoting broader traffic and economic links between the mainland and Taiwan.

However, such a plan has created ripples throughout Taiwan, with some of its media and officials interpreting the plan as "preparation for reunification" with the island.

It is Chinese people's long-cherished dream to reunite the mainland and Taiwan, but the building of a high-speed railway alone would not achieve this goal as some in the island are claiming.