Scholars debated whether Xi Jinping still has the chance to reunify Taiwan with the mainland.  

The declining China narrative argued that alarming demographic and economic difficulties restrict and slow China’s growth, limiting China’s ability to confront the US and realize the reunification goal. Another narrative suggests that China can alleviate current circumstances and accumulate more resources to outperform US’s military in Asia in the long term, meaning China can be patient in Taiwan’s reunification. 

Changing the destiny? 

• Despite the declining demography and labor force, the economic decline will not happen abruptly. China’s economy can still grow and remain one of the top economies with its accumulated wealth and technology capacity. 
• China’s outstanding debt problem is a cause for concern. Along with the demographic decline, China’s debt will be more burdensome, but it will only slow economic growth steadily. Consequently, China still has the resources for military and other investments.  
• China’s outstanding debt problem is a cause for concern. Along with the demographic decline, China’s debt will be more burdensome, but it will only slow economic growth steadily. Consequently, China still has the resources for military and other investments.  

• China proved it could compete militarily with the US even with lesser resources. 
• While PLA’s modernization is still taking place, it is improving its reserves and actively recruiting college graduates. 
• China is focused on Asia’s military projection, emphasizing asymmetric capabilities that threaten US forces in East Asia. 
• China is confident about its future global power despite its current economic woes, signifying that China’s power is still growing. 
• Xi may wait for a peaceful Taiwan reunification, although it may take longer, or uses forced reunification if he is confident that PLA can occupy Taiwan swiftly.