Taiwan accuses China of interfering in elections and influencing media

Taiwan’s National Security Bureau and Ministry of Culture have accused China of attempting to interfere in Taiwan’s democratic processes, including by influencing elections and interfering with the media, Taiwan News reported on Wednesday.

According to reports, the National Security Bureau (NSB) said China was inviting local politicians with the intention of influencing the elections, while the Ministry of Culture (MOC) said it would submit a report on alleged attempts by Chinese journalists to interfere in Taiwan’s media.

Officials from the Mainland Affairs Council, the National Security Bureau, the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau will submit a report to the Legislative Yuan by July 4, detailing their findings on China’s alleged interference in Taiwan’s elections and media.

According to Taiwan News, the methods adopted by China included underground financial institutions demanding confidential military data from military officials as loan repayment.

At the time of the election, Beijing funded trips of local politicians to China in an attempt to influence voting behaviour, as well as spread reports about alleged measures favouring Taiwanese businesses.

According to the NSB report, prosecutors filed 39 indictments in 84 cases last year, reflecting a growing trend in challenges to Taiwan’s national security, Taiwan News reported, citing CNA.

According to the report, alleged interference in TV talk shows by Chinese journalists stationed in Taiwan was the subject of an investigation by the MOC.

Seven Chinese media companies have posted a total of 10 correspondents in Taiwan, Taiwan News reported, citing CNA.

The investigation focused on a former reporter for China’s state-run Xinhua news agency who was accused of being involved in the production of a TV show. he/she had already left Taiwan, as Chinese reporters were issued press passes for three months, with a one-time extension possible.

The MOC said it will publish the results of its investigation into the former Chinese journalist within a week, Taiwan News reported, citing a report by Radio Taiwan International (RTI).

The investigation focused on Taiwanese media outlet UDN, which invited the reporter, and also on his/her employer, Xinhua News. According to the MOC, two current journalists from the Chinese news agency in Taiwan have also been invited to discuss the issue.