Since the beginning of the year 2025, Taiwan’s society has witnessed an unprecedented nationwide “recall” movement, becoming a historic democratic action that transcends traditional blue-green divisions centered around “anti-communism to protect Taiwan.” This civic movement not only shakes the power structure of the parliament but also deals a heavy blow to the long-standing united front tactics employed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) towards Taiwan, prompting top officials in Beijing to issue comprehensive countermeasures, including information warfare, legal persecution, and character assassination. Nevertheless, Taiwan’s unity and awakening have become the biggest obstacle to the CCP’s infiltration plans.
Following the 2024 Taiwan legislative elections, where the Kuomintang party (KMT, blue) and the People’s Party (white) formed a coalition to secure a parliamentary majority, the executive branch found itself continuously hindered, with budget reviews significantly reduced, defense budgets frozen, and several policies of the government led by Lai Ching-te blocked. The chaos in the parliament sparked widespread discontent in society, leading to dozens of civic groups launching recall movements aiming to revoke the entrusted power of the electorate and expel “pro-China traitors” from the legislature.
Shen Bao-yang, founder of the Taiwan National Defense Education Institute “Black Bear Academy” and a Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislator, pointed out how the coalition repeatedly disrupted the normal operation of the parliament, stating, “During one meeting, they adjourned just three minutes after it started at 9:00 AM, not giving any chance for discussion.”
He also criticized pro-China legislators for making contacts with the CCP during parliamentary sessions. Shen Bao-yang proposed regulations governing visits by legislators and other public representatives to China, but the law was rejected more than forty times in the parliament, raising concerns about the erosion of Taiwan’s democratic institutions.
Legal scholar Yuan Hung-ice, residing in Australia, revealed during an interview with Dajiyuan that the CCP’s united front campaign against Taiwan entered a new phase as early as 2020. The so-called “Taiwan Work Leadership Group” of the CCP vigorously supported the dominance of KMT and People’s Party in the legislature, seeking to exploit democratic systems to counter democracy itself.
Yuan Hung-ice pointed out that the CCP’s strategic goal is to use the legislature as a springboard to control Taiwan’s internal affairs, implementing a strategy of “political infiltration and legal opposition.”
According to Yuan Hung-ice’s disclosure, the CCP’s plan includes cutting defense budgets, undermining Taiwan-US relations, and supporting pro-China legislators as spokespersons in Taiwan. However, as the CCP’s groundwork deepens, Taiwan’s society rapidly counterattacks through the “recall wave,” forming a strong grassroots anti-communist sentiment.
The CCP’s intense anxiety over this recall wave has risen to the highest echelons of decision-makers. Quoting internal documents, Yuan Hung-ice revealed that the CCP Central Committee’s Taiwan Leadership Group assessed that this recall could result in the removal of up to 15 pro-China legislators, severely shaking their united front strategy towards Taiwan. Subsequently, Beijing issued orders to launch the third phase of an offensive against Taiwan, including media suppression, character assassination, and legal punitive measures.
As per Yuan Hung-ice’s information, the CCP plans to issue global arrest warrants and conduct trials in absentia for three leaders in the recall movement – former UMC Chairman Cao Xingcheng, anti-communist internet personality Ba Jiong, and rapper Chen Baiyuan (known as “Min Nan Wolf”) – sentencing them to death and lifetime political disenfranchisement and asset confiscation.
Yuan Hung-ice stated that the CCP’s intention with these actions is to serve as a warning to suppress anti-communist voices in Taiwanese society and maintain its network of proxies in the legislature. However, these punitive measures may backfire, turning the accused individuals into heroes and fueling a larger resistance movement.
Regarding the CCP’s “legal warfare” threats, Yuan Hung-ice emphasized that while the CCP previously extended its law enforcement overseas during the Biden administration, the current hardline stance of the Trump 2.0 administration has significantly hindered their extraterritorial reach. He described Xi Jinping’s actions as “wielding a big knife behind closed doors,” a self-delusionary strategy.
Many officials within the CCP also question the feasibility of these plans, believing they may not only fail to stem the recall movement but also trigger international scrutiny and backlash against the CCP’s persecution of dissidents.
Yuan Hung-ice remarked, “If arrest warrants and death sentences are implemented, it will only elevate the status of these anti-communist figures, leading to a more thorough failure of Xi Jinping’s united front strategy.”
The uniqueness of this recall movement lies in its non-traditional party confrontation, being driven by widespread grassroots civic initiatives. Groups like the Civic Watch Parliament Alliance and nearly 50 civil organizations participated in monitoring the legislature and publicly exposing legislators’ performance records, fostering consensus within society.
Zeng Jianyuan, Executive Director of the Chinese Democracy Academy, highlighted on the program “Hotspot Interactive” on television that this recall is an expression of Taiwan’s democratic will, combating the CCP’s infiltration. He emphasized how this experience will familiarize the people with the recall process and enrich Taiwan’s democratic practices.
Zeng Jianyuan further stated, “This is no longer about unification or party politics but a historical moment for all Taiwanese people to unite across party lines and resist the CCP’s united front.” He added that retired military generals and conservative figures within the KMT, who previously opposed Taiwan independence, have also stepped up during this civic movement, showing a new political consensus of anti-communist unity in Taiwan.
The 13th video supporting the recall effort, jointly produced by Taiwan’s cultural sector, depicted a scenario where protesting individuals are taken away by CCP public security to be coerced into organ donations. The video emphasized the need for continuous petitioning in the final stages to avoid such circumstances and called out specific electoral districts needing a final push.
American Committee on the Present Danger: China member Lin Xiaoxu observed that this massive recall movement signifies Taiwan’s reevaluation and comprehensive resistance against the nature of the CCP, particularly after widespread exposure of the CCP’s crimes like forced organ harvesting. He stated, “The CCP is an evil regime that cannot coexist with human civilization, and the awakening of the Taiwanese people is a significant contribution to the global democratic camp.”
Lin Xiaoxu believed that the recall movement not only promotes institutional transparency but also prompts the international community to reassess its approach towards the CCP, potentially accelerating coordination and cooperation among democratic nations in countering CCP infiltration.
Yuan Hung-ice, currently in Taiwan for observation, praised, “The emergence of this recall is a wholly different political force than before. I call it Taiwan’s anti-communist 2.0 era.”
Experts view this recall movement as a significant milestone in Taiwan’s matured democracy. While the CCP attempts to infiltrate Taiwan through legislation and proxies, civil society responds with tangible actions. Whether through street petitions, online mobilization, or the involvement of media and cultural sectors, a strong democratic defense line has been collectively constructed.