China’s Election Interference Sparks Outrage in Taiwan: Vote Just 2 Days Away

China has poured out criticism against the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) candidate, Lai Ching-te, who has anti-China and pro-US tendencies, ahead of the Taiwanese presidential election. Taiwan has strongly protested against this, calling it a blatant interference in the election.

According to the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council of China on the 11th, spokesman Chen Binhua stated in a commentary last night, “The so-called Tsai Ing-wen route is a route for Taiwanese independence and confrontation, and it is the root of the risk of war and social confrontation in Taiwan.” He argued that “continuing the Tsai Ing-wen route would push Taiwan away from peace and prosperity and closer to war and decline.”

This statement directly targets Lai’s declaration at a press conference held at the Taipei International Convention Center (TICC) on the 9th, where he stated that cooperation with China would follow the current president Tsai Ing-wen’s route.

Chen continued to call Lai a “stubborn worker for Taiwanese independence” and warned, “If he takes power, the activities for Taiwanese independence will be further promoted, and the so-called ‘new phase’ that Lai Ching-te wants to create will put the Taiwan Strait at risk of violent storms and rough waves.”

He stressed the sincere hope that Taiwanese citizens would understand the risks associated with the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) path towards independence and the dangers of confrontation stirred by Lai Ching-te. He urged them to make the right choice, aiming to usher in a period of prosperity and development.

This is a blatant message: if Taiwanese voters choose Lai in the presidential election, relations between the two sides (China and Taiwan) will deteriorate. It appears to be an attempt to create a favorable situation for the pro-China Nationalist Party, the largest opposition party.

Taiwan issued a strong protest in response, condemning it as a clear interference in their upcoming election. Later in the afternoon, the Taiwanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement on its website: “The peace, stability, and status quo of the Taiwan Strait represent a consensus within the international community. President Tsai has been dedicated to upholding this status quo since taking office.” The statement further emphasized, “We have repeatedly stressed that maintaining the status quo is Taiwan’s stance, and we have spared no effort in preventing any unilateral changes.”

The Ministry went on to criticize China, saying, “Ahead of the Taiwanese presidential election, China is attempting to intimidate us with the so-called ‘choice between war and peace,’ disregarding the suspicions and resentment of the international community and the feelings of the Taiwanese people.”

Furthermore, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs underlined, “Openly interfering in the election constitutes an aggressive act that escalates tension and confrontation in cross-strait relations and regional affairs. This does not contribute to the healthy development of cross-strait relations, the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait and the wider region, and it runs counter to the interests and expectations of other nations.” The statement concluded with a call for China to refrain from provocative remarks and actions.

Meanwhile, the Taiwanese presidential election is scheduled for the 13th.