The upcoming Taiwan local elections have drawn attention to attempts by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to interfere, according to Shen Yu-chung, Deputy Minister of the Mainland Affairs Council. He warned that the CCP has shifted its tactics from “supporting specific candidates” to “suppressing specific opponents” in an attempt to interfere with the freedom of expression of the Taiwanese people.
Attending a seminar organized by the Asia Political and Economic Peace Exchange Association titled “Countdown to the Election! CCP’s Intervention Tactics and Taiwan’s Democratic Defense,” Deputy Minister Shen emphasized that the CCP’s interference in Taiwan has evolved from supporting specific candidates to employing “harsh tactics” such as punishment and intimidation to target certain political camps. The goal is to create a chilling effect in Taiwan, intervening from abroad to influence the rights of the people to express their opinions freely.
Shen pointed out that the CCP has long engaged in united front activities to undermine Taiwan’s democratic governance, employing both soft and harsh strategies. Soft approaches have included the announcement of “10 policy measures” following a visit by the Kuomintang’s chairperson to China in April. Additionally, before and after the Mid-Autumn Festival, the CCP announced the resumption of pomelo exports from specific counties to the mainland, attempting to send a message of rewards for acknowledging the “1992 Consensus” and advocating for economic integration to promote unification.
In recent years, the CCP has increasingly resorted to “hard tactics” towards Taiwan, including military aircraft and vessel provocations to test Taiwan’s response and imposing more cross-border pressures.
With the local elections approaching in Taiwan, Shen stated that the CCP’s interference is becoming more apparent. Apart from supporting specific candidates, they are now resorting to intimidation tactics through various forms of cross-border pressure to suppress certain political camps.
Shen cited examples such as the latest punitive measures taken by the Taiwan Affairs Office against the father’s business of Shen Boyang, as well as refusing entry to China for the brother of the founder of TSMC. Even well-known TV host Kang-ying Tsai attending an election event for the Democratic Progressive Party’s mayoral candidate, Shen Boyang, faced targeted suppression, with accusations of unclear ties to “Taiwan independence” and being a “two-faced” individual.
Through these punitive and intimidating measures targeting specific individuals and parties, the CCP aims to create a chilling effect in Taiwan, discouraging voters from openly supporting specific candidates or parties.
Noting that this year marks the 30th anniversary of Taiwan’s direct presidential elections, Shen highlighted that under CCP’s missile threats three decades ago, the Taiwanese people bravely cast their votes and elected their president. Despite the CCP’s recurring attempts to interfere in Taiwan’s elections, they seem to lack an understanding of democratic processes and only resort to coercion without respecting Taiwan.
In response to the CCP’s evolving intervention tactics, Shen emphasized that the government will continue to expose the CCP’s negative actions while enhancing national security laws and strengthening judicial oversight.
Lastly, he urged the Taiwanese people to remain vigilant and not turn a blind eye to the CCP’s attempts to undermine Taiwan’s democratic governance. Regardless of political affiliations, it is crucial to collectively safeguard national sovereignty and the hard-earned democracy and freedom of Taiwan.