Taiwan’s President William Lai has issued a stern rebuke of China’s new Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress, asserting that Taiwan rejects any form of “red terror” or Beijing’s attempts to exert influence over the island. During a Democratic Progressive Party Central Executive Committee meeting, Lai criticized the legislation as a manifestation of China’s authoritarian agenda with potentially far-reaching consequences. He emphasized Taiwan’s resolve to bolster defenses against Beijing’s escalating political pressure, promising enhanced measures to protect national interests and the Taiwanese populace.
Passed by China’s National People’s Congress in March and enacted this week, the contentious law mandates Chinese citizens to endorse national unification. It also empowers authorities to legally penalize individuals or groups perceived as threats to ethnic unity or as advocates of ethnic division, despite the law’s ambiguous definitions of these infractions. In Taiwan, critics contend that the legislation is a tactic to promote the perception of Taiwanese people as part of a larger Chinese national identity.
Lai expressed concerns that this law could serve as a pretext for cross-border enforcement actions, heightening pressure on individuals and entities beyond mainland China. He noted that there have already been over 110 instances of such cross-border pressure affecting Taiwan, warning that similar actions could become more widespread. Lai underscored the risk that foreign governments, businesses, lawmakers, civil society organizations, and private individuals may also be subject to arbitrary measures due to the law’s expansive reach.
In response to these potential threats, Taiwan plans to reinforce its monitoring and early warning systems and review policies to shield its citizens from external meddling. Lai announced initiatives to expand media literacy, enhance civil servant training, and develop robust prevention and response frameworks to counteract what he sees as an intensifying campaign of cross-border repression by Beijing. Taiwan will also continue collaborating with democratic allies to elevate global awareness of human rights issues and safeguard its sovereignty.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs echoed President Lai’s apprehensions, describing the Chinese legislation as an effort by Beijing to project its legal jurisdiction beyond its own borders, conflicting with international standards and human rights principles. The ministry warned that the law’s vague language could lead to self-censorship and uncertainty among those wary of reprisals. The legislation has faced criticism from several international entities, including the United States, Japan, the European Union, the United Nations, and Amnesty International, all of which have voiced concerns over its possible impact on human rights, legal clarity, and freedom of expression.