[There] is no public debate in mainland China about taking control over Taiwan, by force if necessary. Most Chinese citizens assume Taiwan a a whole wants to be "reunited" with the mainland.
Very few Taiwanese actually want to be reunited with China, though their opinion is divided on trying to thaw relations and draw closer to the mainland with economic and travel ties.
But the Chinese people believe Taiwanese want to be "reunited." That is a very dangerous illusion to let stand.
It strikes me that Taiwan could do itself a lot of good by beginning a broad and sustained information campaign directed at ordinary Chinese that tells them that the Taiwanese would love to be friends with China--but that they cherish their democratic freedom and current status quo of de facto (only) independence.
The last thing the Taiwanese want the Chinese to believe--should Peking's rulers try to conquer the island democracy--is that the Taiwanese welcome their new mainland overlords.
