The recent conclusion of the 20th Central Committee’s fifth plenary session of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has sparked discussions regarding the contrasting political landscapes between Taiwan and China. In a recent symposium organized by the Security Taiwan Association, Deputy Minister Shen You-Chung of the Mainland Affairs Council highlighted the fundamental differences between the democratic system in Taiwan and the increasingly authoritarian regime in China.
Shen delivered his insights during a panel entitled “Post-Fifth Plenary Session: Possible Internal Changes in the CCP and Their Impact on Taiwan.” His address focused on the political direction established during the plenary session and the shifting power dynamics within the CCP. In his remarks, Shen emphasized the necessity for Taiwan to cultivate a strong national consensus and enhance the resilience of its society in the face of an assertively authoritarian China.
According to Shen, the core theme of the recently concluded fifth plenary session was “persevering in advancing comprehensive strict governance of the party.” This agenda represents a bid by Xi Jinping to solidify the leadership’s grip ahead of the 21st National Congress. As a result, Xi’s personal authority and the party’s totalitarian style appear to be increasingly entrenched. Shen identified four key aspects emerging from the session:
First, the establishment of “Xi Jinping Thought on Party Building” as a guiding principle reinforces the central position of personal authoritarianism.
Second, the call for “strict governance of the party” primarily aims to bolster one-party rule, which increasingly disregards constitutional governance and the protection of civil rights.
Third, the CCP’s promotion of “self-revolution” effectively silences dissenting voices outside the party and rejects the checks and balances typical of modern democratic governance.
Fourth, there is a continued purge of disloyal “double-faced individuals” to ensure Xi’s transition into a fourth term and possibly towards a lifetime leadership.
Shen further stressed that the fifth plenary session’s efforts consolidate the trend towards Xi’s core leadership, contrasting sharply with the active local elections currently taking place in Taiwan. This juxtaposition highlights the stark difference: as China becomes more authoritarian, Taiwan is moving towards greater democracy, underscoring the central issue in cross-strait relations: the divergence between democratic and authoritarian systems.
He pointed out that while democratic Taiwan faces a Chinese regime that is tightening political discipline and suppressing ideological openness, history clearly demonstrates that democracy and authoritarianism cannot coexist under a single sovereign authority, regardless of cultural, linguistic, or ethnic homogeneity.
“The clash between democracy and authoritarianism is akin to a long-distance endurance race,” Shen asserted. He noted that Taiwan’s recent excellent economic performance starkly contrasts with China’s escalating economic difficulties and social unrest, further validating the superiority of democratic governance.
Shen urged all citizens to recognize the inherent differences in the systems across the strait and to unite against the ambitions of authoritarian aggression. He emphasized the importance of consolidating the belief in defending freedom, democracy, and national sovereignty in order to deepen democracy and promote prosperous development under the pressure of the CCP’s authoritarian regime.
As Taiwan approaches the final stages of its local elections, he affirmed that the government would remain vigilant regarding internal movements within the CCP and the evolution of its power dynamics. Furthermore, efforts would continue in preventing and exposing various types of CCP interference in Taiwan’s elections.
In terms of overarching strategies, Shen stated that the government will persist in strengthening national defense autonomy, economic and social resilience, and international cooperation. This includes a firm response to the CCP’s cognitive warfare, cross-border suppression, and efforts to infiltrate and divide Taiwanese society, all while steadfastly safeguarding national sovereignty and the democratic way of life.