Lee Teng-hui's speech could be seen as the final shove. But an even bigger shove has come from the poor condition of the Chinese economy. China is slipping into economic difficulties. Its foreign trade is down. The huge problem of what to do with the state-owned smokestack industries remains unresolved.
Industrial production is ailing, financial instability remains.
Unemployment is rising. However, the latest flare-up over Taiwan is helping PRC President Jiang Zemin unite the leadership. The Chinese Communist leadership has made Taiwan a central issue. It appears they are getting a lot of support from the people. Now the Chinese Communists are saying and being heard that the Taiwan problem takes precedence over all other problems.