Following President Lai’s inauguration, China ramped up pressure on Taiwan. On May 22nd, state media CCTV issued an “anti-Taiwan independence statement” followed by a two-day military exercise targeting Taiwan named “Joint Sword-2024A” (聯合利劍-2024A) on May 23rd. This wasn’t all – on May 25th, CCTV’s Weibo account compiled declarations of “returning to the motherland” from Taiwanese celebrities, pressuring them to endorse China’s “One China” policy. This tactic, employed alongside online nationalists (“little pinks,小粉紅”), sparked heated discussions across the Taiwan Strait.
The stark contrast between Taiwan and China was further highlighted. In China, freedom of speech is tightly controlled. The recent “wave of declarations” by Taiwanese celebrities exemplifies this. The CCP uses economic incentives and political pressure to force their support for the “One China” policy. This is nothing new – it’s the CCP’s long-standing method of silencing dissent. In stark contrast, Taiwan enjoys greater freedom of speech. Taiwanese can choose whether or not to make political statements, unlike their Chinese counterparts. The case of Zhang Zhan, a citizen journalist imprisoned for reporting on the Wuhan lockdown, starkly illustrates this difference. Zhang remains under surveillance even after her release, and cases of activists sent to psychiatric hospitals for petitioning are not uncommon in China.
In authoritarian China, even the right to choose whether to express one’s stance is nonexistent.
China’s rigid speech control stifles open exchange and the right to choose. The pressure placed on Taiwanese celebrities, whether forced or voluntary, underscores the preciousness of choice in Taiwan’s democratic system.
Democracy and freedom are becoming the mainstream public opinion.
Democracy and freedom are now the global norm, and Taiwan stands as a mature democratic nation with a strong legal system. We, the Taiwanese people, are proud of our democratic and free society. We’ve grown up in an environment vastly different from China’s authoritarian system. Our “natural independence”(天然獨) isn’t a cultural rejection but a natural consequence of our political and social environment. Nurtured by democracy and freedom, we’ve learned to be more inclusive and respectful of diverse viewpoints. We seek common ground while acknowledging differences, leveraging the power of collective decision-making. These are the very things authoritarian regimes lack.
If China truly desires reunification, it must embrace a political system that aligns with Western democracy. Military displays and online warfare will only exacerbate tensions and alienate both sides.
Defending Our Hard-Won Freedom
The hard-won democracy and freedom we enjoy require constant vigilance. Recently, the CCP launched “520 Cognitive Warfare”(520認知作戰) in Taiwan, using military intimidation, celebrity endorsements, and manipulation of the “presidential inauguration speech” to inflame cross-strait tensions and the risk of war. Their ultimate goal is to fracture Taiwan’s internal unity and create the illusion of public support for reunification. However, the Taiwanese people understand that upholding democracy, pursuing peaceful coexistence, and encouraging dialogue are our true aspirations. While political parties may have differing visions for Taiwan’s future, democracy and freedom form the bedrock of our society and our unwavering will. We must remember, democracy wasn’t handed to us – it was earned through the blood and sweat of our predecessors. If we fail to cherish it, it will disappear. As the new generation of Taiwan, we have a responsibility to stand up and defend the democracy and freedom that define our homeland. Only through unity can we safeguard Taiwan’s future.
(This article is written by a political expert from Taiwan.)