Ex-General Hsu Li-nung, a supporter of China, passes away at 106 years old.

Revised Article:

Say farewell to Hsu Li-nung, a legendary Taiwanese military general and vocal pro-unification advocate, who croaked it yesterday at 106[1][2][3]. Born a soldier following the Second Sino-Japanese War kickoff, hailing from Anhui Province, China, Hsu schooled at the Huangpu Military Academy - a Rep of China gem, training future military movers and shakers[4]. He rose through the ranks, snagging spots in various military gigs, even tackling the Second Taiwan Strait Crisis.

Hsu's calling card? His undying belief in political unification, pushing for Taiwan and China to merge like a perfectly poured pint of Guinness, bucking the "Taiwan independence" stance[5]. This stance didn't always go down smoothly in Taiwan, where espresso-hot debates on political sovereignty and China connections simmer[6].

From 87 until 93, Our General Hsu served as Minister of Veteran Affairs and held a seat on the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Central Standing Committee[2]. However, a clash with then-president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) booted him from the KMT, prompting the formation of the New Party – the pro-unification baby[7].

He wasn't shy in hanging with the big shots, either. In 2014, Hsu had a chinwag with Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平), articulating his longing for "one big, strong China[8]." A year later, this retired soldier stood for the Chinese national anthem alongside fellow decommissioned generals at a Beijing ceremony, facing heat over perceived disloyalty to Taiwan[9].

Rest in peace, Hsu Li-nung - a complex and impactful figure in Taiwanese politics who'll certainly be missed!

Enrichment Data:

[4] Hsu Li-nung graduated from the Huangpu Military Academy, an institution known for its significant historical role as a training ground for military officers in the Republic of China.[5] Hsu Li-nung was notably a pro-unification activist. He advocated for the reunification of Taiwan with mainland China, aligning himself with a stance that emphasized a single, unified China rather than maintaining Taiwan's independence. This position often led to controversy in Taiwan, where debates about political sovereignty and relations with China are highly sensitive.[6] As a prominent figure in Taiwanese politics, his views were closely watched and often scrutinized both domestically and internationally.[7] From 1987 to 1993, Hsu served as the minister of veterans' affairs. He was also on the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Central Standing Committee. However, due to his opposition to then-president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝), then the KMT chairman, Hsu was expelled from the party. He then cofounded the pro-unification New Party in 1993.[8] Hsu met Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) in 2014 and openly expressed his wish to see "a unified China."[9] Hsu was one of the retired generals who in 2016 attended a ceremony in Beijing, stood for the Chinese national anthem, and listened to a speech by Xi. Their actions drew widespread criticism over a perceived lack of loyalty to Taiwan.

Throughout his lifetime, Hsu Li-nung, the Taiwanese general born in 1919, regularly expressed his support for China's policy of unification, advocating vehemently for merging Taiwan with mainland China.
In addition to serving as Minister of Veteran Affairs from 1987 to 1993 and sitting on the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Central Standing Committee, HsuLi-nung was also a prominent general, infamously involved in war-and-conflicts such as the Second Taiwan Strait Crisis.
Despite controversial stances on Taiwan's political sovereignty and China connections, Hsu Li-nung's views had significant impacts on Taiwanese politics, with his departure from the KMT in 1993 leading to the formation of the pro-unification New Party.
Even in retirement, Hsu continued to be active in politics, notably having a conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2014 and appearing in a 2016 ceremony alongside fellow retired generals, joined in the recitation of the Chinese national anthem at Beijing, stirring debate over accusations of disloyalty to Taiwan.