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07.01.2024 19:50 (updated on 07.01. 20:14)
Schematic representation. (Shutterstock Gallery)
(Central News Agency reporter Chen Yunyu, London, 7) Britain’s Times reported today that Beijing is trying to use “air war” tactics such as flying balloons and false information on the Internet to overturn the results of Taiwan’s election influence. In addition, Beijing is threatening Taiwan with a “war or peace” choice in this election, aiming to shake the support base of the Democratic Progressive Party presidential candidate.
The Times noted that Taiwan’s election was not only one of the first among major elections worldwide this year, but also likely the most critical for international security. Democratic Progressive Party presidential candidate Lai Ching-te is reportedly a “staunch supporter of Taiwan’s sovereignty.” However, if he wins, Beijing could be angered and respond with a new round of military exercises and economic and trade sanctions.
The report noted that the opposition Kuomintang strongly emphasizes the “war and peace” narrative and advocates that the Democratic Progressive Party’s policies toward mainland China could put Taiwan at risk of conflict and economic turmoil. Huang Jiezheng, director of the Kuomintang’s international department, said if the “wrong party” wins the election, Taiwan will become the “most dangerous place in the world.”
Huang Jiezheng said that the Democratic Progressive Party’s aggressive and confrontational stance toward Beijing and its apparent “pro-American” foreign policy triggered the crisis. He pointed out that the next four years are very critical for Taiwan. Taiwan has to overcome a very difficult and dangerous situation and it is necessary to cool and reduce tensions in relations with China. He stressed that the Kuomintang is the only political party that can open communication channels and maintain dialogue with the mainland.
However, the report noted that after Beijing completely abandoned its “one country, two systems” policy towards Hong Kong, even the Kuomintang, which had traditionally maintained more friendly relations with Beijing, was forced to publicly oppose China’s plan for a country to provide a “one country, two systems” future for Taiwan.
Zhao Yixiang, spokesman for Lai Ching-te’s campaign headquarters, said the Kuomintang’s claim that Lai Ching-te’s victory would pose a threat to Taiwan was a “deliberate disregard for the political reality facing Taiwan.”
Zhao Yixiang pointed out that voting for the DPP means voting for “stability” at a time when the geopolitical situation is turbulent, economic uncertainties continue to grow, and authoritarianism is increasingly affecting democratic systems around the world threatened.
He mentioned that Beijing is trying to influence Taiwan’s election results in many ways using “complex and sophisticated” methods, including misinformation, fake news, and economic and trade disciplinary measures, with the intention of “undermining our (Taiwanese) democracy.” We are undermining our (Taiwan) system and dividing our (Taiwan) society.”
Tim Niven, a researcher at Taiwan’s Doublethink Lab, pointed out that the goal of China’s cognitive war against Taiwan in the past was to strongly promote positive views of the People’s Republic of China, its governance and economy, but given that Such views no longer exist. The selling point is that China now portrays the DPP as a source of security threats to Taiwan and must be responsible for Taiwan’s lost economic opportunities. The purpose is to panic unconventional voters.
The report mentioned that pro-China Taiwanese “internet celebrities” often leak relevant information, exacerbating China’s information war and cognitive war against Taiwan; some pro-Beijing Taiwan mainstream media also play a role in China’s information war and cognitive war against Taiwan.
At a time when politicians from all parties across Taiwan are calling for votes, the Times reported that balloons from China were frequently appearing over Taiwan and even flying over key air bases.
The report pointed out that China is clearly trying to interfere in Taiwan’s democratic politics. Not only can these balloons collect atmospheric data, they can also carry monitoring devices. Additionally, Chinese leader Xi Jinping recently appointed former naval commander Dong Jun as defense minister, making him the first defense minister with a naval background in the history of the People’s Republic of China. This shows that Xi Jinping attaches great importance to the maritime economy. related matters, including sovereignty claims over Taiwan and the South China Sea. (Editor: Gao Zhaofen) 1130107
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