Many discussions on Lai's recognizing the ROC with a 113 years of
history. He is certainly breaking with more traditional TI supporters
who see Taiwan's (Taiwan as an independent nation) history began with
the ROC took over such as Tsai.
But the question is toward what end?
Currently, many in Taiwan see Taiwan Independence as a dead end. Many
DPP members wanted to discard the ROC as Taiwan's official name or to
change the ROC Constitution at a minimum. But all such motion and
emotion were suppressed by the high level DPP members. They dare not.
Looking out to the future, time is really not on the side of those who
still want Taiwan Independence.
Some younger generation from the TI heartland still don't know they are
currently citizens of the ROC and/or don't recognize the legitimacy of
the ROC. But most educated people understand the idiocy of assuming the
Taiwan is really the ROT, not ROC. Lai minority position also force him
to embrace the ROC.
The question now is whether Lai, the golden grandson (3rd generation
leader) of the TI movement, is prepared to gamble. Would Lai declare
Taiwan independence without explicit approval of the US? This would
certainly force the PROC to act. And hopefully, Lai's declaration could
cause the West to rise up against the PROC in support of an independent
ROC aka ROT ?