In a forceful denouncement, Taiwan’s President William Lai has spoken out against China’s new Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress, asserting that Taiwan will not tolerate what he described as “red terror” or any attempts to increase Beijing’s influence over the island. Addressing the Democratic Progressive Party’s Central Executive Committee, Lai criticized the legislation as an extension of China’s authoritarian approach, which he claimed poses threats beyond its own borders. He emphasized Taiwan’s commitment to enhancing measures to protect its citizens and national interests amid rising political pressure from China.
The controversial law, which was passed by China’s National People’s Congress in March and has just come into effect, mandates that Chinese citizens support national unification. It grants authorities the power to hold individuals or organizations accountable for activities perceived as harmful to ethnic unity or that encourage ethnic division, though the law’s language lacks specific definitions of these offenses. Critics in Taiwan contend that the legislation is designed to bolster the notion that Taiwanese people are part of a larger Chinese national identity.
Lai expressed concerns that the law could be used to justify actions beyond China’s borders, heightening pressure on individuals and organizations outside the mainland. He noted that China has already executed over 110 cases of cross-border pressure directed at Taiwan and warned that similar efforts might escalate. Lai also cautioned that foreign governments, businesses, lawmakers, civil society groups, and private citizens could be subjected to arbitrary measures under the law’s broad parameters.
In response to these potential threats, the Taiwanese government is set to bolster its monitoring systems, enhance early warning mechanisms, and examine additional policies to shield its citizens from external interference. Lai revealed plans to expand media literacy initiatives, improve civil servant training, and establish more robust prevention and response systems to counter what he described as Beijing’s intensifying campaign of cross-border repression. Taiwan remains committed to collaborating with democratic allies to heighten international awareness on human rights issues and defend its sovereignty.
Echoing the president’s apprehensions, Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs labeled the legislation as another bid by Beijing to extend its legal reach beyond its borders, conflicting with international norms and human rights standards. The ministry argued that the law’s ambiguous wording could lead to self-censorship and foster uncertainty among those fearing repercussions. The legislation has attracted criticism from numerous global entities, including the United States, Japan, the European Union, the United Nations, and Amnesty International, all voicing concerns over its potential impact on human rights, legal clarity, and freedom of expression.