The Taiwanese government believes that China will begin its campaign to seek the support of Taiwanese politicians as the island nation nears its election campaign, with the presidential vote due in January 2024.
As both sides gradually resume travel halted by the COVID-19 pandemic, security officials in Taipei are concerned that Beijing will restart its influence campaign for Taiwanese politicians, including fully funded trips to China and try to create animosity towards the Tsai Ing-wen government, which it believes to be a separatist government.
Swaying Politicians’ Opinions
In March, the campaign will focus on attracting “opinion leaders” to visit China to promote its political ideology, a Taiwan security agency said in a classified report seen by Reuters.
“The Chinese Communist Party is developing its exchange programmes with Taiwan for the year. Various Taiwan-related agencies will gradually resume their invitations to Taiwan people on all levels to visit the mainland,” said the February report.
Taiwan reelected President Tsai Ing-wen by a landslide, sending a stern rebuke to China in an election dominated by anti-government protests in Hong Kong. Tsai won almost 8.2 million votes, more than any Taiwan president since its first election in 1996 https://t.co/QEMK6xzOMp pic.twitter.com/UO4TOMLgq8
— Reuters (@Reuters) January 11, 2020
The superpower is expected to sway the Taiwanese public to support political parties that view “reunification” more favourably.
“They might want Taiwanese to support certain political parties who support closer economic ties with the mainland,” a Taiwan security official investigating the matter anonymously told the media house. “The exchange programmes may come in the name of sports, culture or commerce, but what we are worried about is what’s being said privately.”
The report did not mention names of individuals or parties that could be targeted, but the Kuomintang (KMT), Taiwan’s main opposition party, has long-standing contacts with Beijing.
Taiwan Must be on “High Alert”
A second senior Taiwan security official warned that the self-governing island should be “on high alert” as China amplifies its message on reunification.
“They are looking for a window of opportunity to bypass the Taiwan authorities,” the official asserted.