Vice minister of Mainland Affairs Council says China is using “united front” strategy to influence Taiwan

According to Shen Yu-chung, vice minister of Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), China is increasingly using various tactics as part of its “united front” strategy to influence Taiwan, the Taipei Times reports. .

At the Y Day Forum organized by the Taiwan Public Welfare Group, Shen highlighted how China treats every cross-Strait interaction as an opportunity to advance its agenda.

According to the Taipei Times, Shen said that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) uses methods such as manipulating local elections, as seen in 2018 and 2022, and hindering the effectiveness of Taiwan’s administration through legislative obstruction. Puts. he/she also pointed to the CCP’s growing influence on Taiwan’s political parties, with cross-Strait interactions often intertwined with domestic political ideologies.

Shen specifically mentioned Kinmen County as an example of Beijing’s strategy to increase its presence in local governments. The CCP is reportedly attempting to promote its “one country, two systems” model, especially after its interference in Hong Kong damaged its credibility. According to the Taipei Times, Beijing is exploring options to allow Kinmen residents to buy real estate and gain voting rights in Xiamen, with the goal of creating a true “one country, two systems” situation. With better travel and shopping options in Xiamen, it aims to make the idea of ​​prosperity through Chinese benefits more attractive to Taiwan.

Shen warned that Beijing’s outreach to Taiwan’s youth, offering benefits to encourage them to start businesses in China, is a strategic ploy to attract them while hiding ulterior motives. he/she pointed out that China’s high unemployment rate suggests that these offers are ultimately part of a plan to push Taiwanese out of the market through aggressive pricing.

Additionally, despite China’s official stance of atheism, the CCP continues to use religion for its “united front” efforts. Shen said China claims that all of the Matsu temples in Taiwan originated from the original temple in Meizhou, China. It also aims to authenticate these temples and other temples dedicated to Guangdong by obtaining proof of their authenticity.

The MAC stressed that cross-strait exchanges should adhere to Taiwan’s approved functions, avoid promoting political views that undermine Taiwan, and prevent Chinese officials from engaging in media interviews during visits. .