Experts point out that although the outcome of the “Great Recall” in Taiwan may not be satisfactory to all, the main demand of the recalling groups for “anti-communism and defending Taiwan” aligns with the international trend. This recall movement has awakened many citizens to the alertness of the infiltration of the Communist Party. The overseas youth election observation group has called for “protecting Taiwan’s democracy and being vigilant against Communist infiltration.”
Taiwanese civic groups criticized a parliament empowerment bill led by some blue and white lawmakers, labeling it as “subverting the constitution and chaos in governance,” and launched a large-scale recall movement. The initial results of the “Great Recall” on the 26th showed that the recall cases of 24 legislators and Hsinchu City Mayor Lin Chong-an did not pass.
Yato Akio, Executive Director of the Indo-Pacific Strategic Think Tank, posted on Facebook, saying that although the vote of the Great Recall on the 26th did not meet everyone’s expectations, the past half year’s large-scale recall movement led by civic groups has left a significant mark in Taiwan’s history. He believes that this movement has three positive implications for Taiwanese society and the future of democracy. The specific analysis is as follows:
Firstly, this is a very successful enlightenment movement. The main demand of the recalling groups in this recall movement, “anti-communism and defending Taiwan,” aligns with the international trend. Recently, whether in the United States, Europe, or Japan, there has been increasing concern about the Chinese Communist Party’s external expansion and heightened vigilance against CCP infiltration. In Taiwan, however, although the ruling Democratic Progressive Party values Taiwanese values, it lacks a discourse on “anti-communism”; while the opposition Kuomintang and People First Party essentially do not oppose communism.
This Great Recall movement has awakened many citizens to the alertness of Communist Party infiltration. Many celebrities who were previously unwilling to take a stand on this issue have come forward. This is a significant progress. Any enlightenment movement starts with a few people and takes a long time to form a consensus throughout society. In this regard, the Great Recall movement has successfully led Taiwanese society forward by a big step.
Secondly, it has changed the traditional political landscape of blue-green confrontation. This Great Recall was initiated by citizens, with supporters from the Democratic Progressive Party and many traditionally considered “deep blue” members of the blue camp participating, such as General Chiu Weibang, “Eagle Dad,” and many others who are staunch supporters of the “Republic of China faction.”
These people gathered together, with the main demand being to defend today’s democracy and freedom in Taiwan. This kind of unity was not seen in the past and is likely to catalyze changes in Taiwan’s traditional political landscape, possibly representing the mainstream voice of Taiwanese society in the future.
Thirdly, this Great Recall movement has nurtured a large number of future elites for Taiwanese society. These volunteers who were active on the front line in 31 electoral districts successfully collected petitions from more than one-tenth of the voters through cooperation and hard work, creating a miracle for Taiwanese democracy.
Yato Akio said that the experiences and practices gained by recalling these groups are extremely valuable. He believes that in ten or twenty years, many of the volunteers in these recalling groups will emerge as elites in Taiwanese society, becoming pillars to protect and build Taiwan. The hard work and tears shed by everyone have not gone in vain. Finally, he once again extends his gratitude to the spiritual leader of the Great Recall movement, Chairman Cao Xingcheng, and every volunteer, saying “Thank you for your hard work.”
One of the leaders of the recalls, the founder of United Microelectronics Corporation, Cao Xingcheng, posted on Facebook, stating, “We did not succeed this time, but we did not lose either. Our demand this time was to ‘resist communism and safeguard Taiwan’; therefore, those who supported us are companions in resisting communism. Being able to have so many companions stand up and express their anti-communist stance is a great success.” He pointed out that recalling blue camp lawmakers in blue camp strongholds was an almost impossible task.
Cao Xingcheng said that over the past year, he was fortunate to work, advocate, and cheer with everyone, living a fulfilling life. Every time he saw everyone, he was deeply moved and grateful. “Together, we have awakened awareness against communism. For the sake of protecting Taiwan’s sovereignty, we have shouted; for canvassing, we have sweated; we have endured humiliation. We have gotten to know each other, respect each other, care for each other, and have built deep friendships. To have achieved so much, how can we be considered losers?”
In addition, the “Overseas Youth Election Observation Group,” organized by the Association of Chinese Democracy Academy, held a press conference on the day after the Taiwan Great Recall. Loshengchun, founder of the “Alliance for Civil Rights” from the United States, personally traveled to Taiwan to observe the election. She expressed that witnessing the Taiwanese people’s seriousness and enthusiasm towards elections deeply impressed her with the value and resilience of Taiwan’s democratic system.
Reflecting on her own experience, Loshengchun had to flee China due to the persecution of her husband, the renowned human rights lawyer Ding Jiaxi, by the Chinese Communist Party. Being able to share her 12-year struggle against the CCP with the people of Taiwan, who are geographically closest to mainland China, holds profound significance.
Loshengchun pointed out that the CCP’s suppression of freedom of speech, arbitrary detention, torture, and actions such as forced sterilization and organ harvesting pose a severe threat that the democratic world should be highly alert to. She urged the Taiwanese people to have a deeper understanding of the real situation in China, stating, “Without understanding the dictatorship of China, one cannot truly cherish Taiwan’s freedom.”
Sauto, Vice Chairman of the Japan Uyghur Association, came to Taiwan for election observation for the first time. He emphasized that the recall activities had received wide attention in Japan, demonstrating the value of civic supervision and diverse voices in Taiwan’s democratic system. Sauto warned that the UN report clearly stated the CCP’s policy of genocide in Xinjiang, including atrocities such as concentration camps, forced sterilization, and organ transplants. He cautioned that if similar authoritarian ruling philosophies are not countered, they may pose a substantial threat to Taiwanese society through infiltration.
Yang Ruohui, Director of Public Affairs at “Civic Action,” stated that Chinese people from authoritarian systems experience in Taiwan that “even the air is fresh with freedom.” He pointed out that the infiltration and manipulation of Taiwan by the CCP are not imaginary but constitute a silent war that is bloodless yet profound. He called on the Taiwanese people to remain vigilant, not only to safeguard local democracy but also to collaborate with like-minded individuals globally to promote improvements in Chinese human rights and political transformation.
Zeng Jianyuan, Executive Director of the Association of Chinese Democracy Academy, pointed out that regardless of the success or failure of the recall election results, it epitomizes the latest manifestation of public opinion, and the key lies in understanding the sacrifices and persistence of citizens throughout the process and its long-term significance for the development of Taiwanese democracy.
Li Youtan, Executive Director of the Association of Chinese Democracy Academy, analyzed that although the recall action had factors of success from the Kuomintang’s mobilization, its results only reflect the opinions of some constituencies and do not represent the entirety of the country’s voice. He emphasized that the international community has widely followed and positively reported on this democratic action, urging the Kuomintang not to mistakenly believe that a recall failure means they can act recklessly. They should take mainstream public opinion of “anti-communism and defending Taiwan” seriously.
Li Youtan also reminded the ruling party to more broadly consider the opinions of academia and civil society concerning constitutional issues, with no room for compromise. He called for the establishment of a “Citizen Alliance for Monitoring Parliament’s Abuse of Power and Media Pro-CCP Influence” to promote democratic deepening.