2023-08-19
DPP: Taiwanese Won’t Abide Chinese Interference in General Elections Through Intimidation
Chinese authorities announced the launch of a joint air and sea military exercise around Taiwan, again. Such a move was doubtless aimed at retaliating against Vice President and DPP Chairman Lai Ching-Te’s visit to Paraguay and transit in the U.S. Not only is China trying to apply pressure on Taiwan; it is actively trying to interfere in our coming presidential election. The DPP stated today (August 19) that China is using Lai’s transit in the U.S. as an excuse to interfere in Taiwan’s general elections. This will only scuttle cross-strait relations and not be tolerated by the people of Taiwan.
The DPP noted that, during and after Chairman Lai’s diplomatic trip to Paraguay and stopovers in the U.S., Chinese authorities have executed a series of hostile actions including diplomatic intimidation, economic coercion, cognitive warfare, mobilizing overseas pro-unification actors in an attempt at harassment, browbeating Taiwanese businesses into making a public stand, and announcing military drills against Taiwan. All of this is Chinese intimidation tactics against Taiwan conducted under the pretext of the vice president’s diplomatic visit, and is evidence of China’s attempts at interfering in Taiwan’s democratic elections.
The DPP emphasized Chairman Lai’s visit, taken in his capacity as vice president, shows Taiwan is marching toward the international community, working toward regional peace, and standing up for democracy and freedom. More important, this visit was arranged in accordance with Taiwan-U.S. mutual understanding and precedent. China’s overreaction and overheated rhetoric are entirely unnecessary and unwarranted; they only served to prove the CCP is the troublemaker and increase cross-strait tensions and disrupt regional peace. But they will not shake Taiwan’s resolve to preserve peace and continue marching toward the world. Nor will the Taiwanese people abide Chinese interference in Taiwan’s elections.
The DPP calls on the CCP to abandon its bullying and menacing behavior aimed at bending other countries to its will. It is not what a responsible and civilized great power should do. It is not helpful in solving the internal and external issues Beijing is now confronting. Facing China’s unjustified provocations and suppression, the DPP appeals to every political party–incumbent or in opposition–to act in solidarity to counter the external threat, demonstrate the unity of the people of Taiwan, and safeguard our national dignity. No party should pirouette to the CCP’s tunes while it undertakes cognitive warfare and threatening behaviors against Taiwan; this would harm the feelings of the Taiwanese people and our national interest.
The DPP reiterated that the DPP stands firmly for peace and will never relinquish any opportunities for peace. We, however, should also protect Taiwan’s democracy and freedom. Building on President Tsai Ing-wen’s four commitments and acting on Chairman Lai’s four-pillar plan, the DPP will endeavor to carry out a vision for peace for all Taiwanese. Recognizing peace as a beacon and democracy as a compass, we will continue to move Taiwan forward and into the embrace of the international community. We will make Taiwan the MVP of the democratic world.
