Political situation in Taiwan

China optimizes strategies: "There are no free lunches" 

 

China has for decades influenced Taiwan's politics and over the years optimized its strategies, writes The Diplomat. Now Taiwan is facing another election on January 13 and China - which considers Taiwan part of its territory - has stepped up military and political pressure.  

 

The extent of Chinese influence is unknown, but one approach reported by Reuters is Beijing-funded trips for Taiwanese politicians, often operating at a lower level. 

 

State prosecutor Hsing Tai-cha states that "there are no free lunches" and a security source says that "election influence was launched under the name of group travel".  

 

The China podcast in P1 describes it as a choice between the incumbent DPP's harder line against China and the opposition, which is challenging with what it describes as a more balanced line. 

 

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Beijing's Electoral Traits: Cheap Travel for Taiwan's Politicians  

 

Beijing is arranging cheap trips to China for politicians in Taiwan ahead of the election in January, Reuters reports. More than 400 visits that are said to have taken place in the past month are under investigation. 

 

It is said to be preferably local leaders who went on the invitational trips. According to sources, they have had to pay for the flight themselves, while China picked up part of the bill for accommodation, transport and meals.  

 

In Taiwan, accepting Chinese money for political campaigns is not allowed, and prosecutors said earlier this week that 22 politicians were being investigated for violations of election and security laws. The invitational trips, on the other hand, are considered difficult to access because it is difficult to prove that China is behind it. Taiwan is de facto self-governing, but China considers the country part of its territory and only a few countries have recognized Taiwan as an independent state.  

 

Ahead of the election, China has tightened its tone and Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen has warned against attempts to influence voters to vote for candidates with close ties to Beijing.

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