"Unprecedented Divisions in Taiwan": Concerns heighten over potential Chinese infiltration and subsequent takeover of the territory.
In recent years, China has been seeking to exert influence and potentially annex Taiwan through a combination of military intimidation, political warfare, and coercive strategies short of outright war.
One of the key methods China has employed is military intimidation, with live-fire drills and missile launches near Taiwan's territory. President Tsai Ing-wen has condemned these actions, emphasising the importance of defence readiness and cooperation with international allies to prevent escalation while resolutely defending Taiwanese sovereignty and democracy.
Political warfare is another tactic China has used, with united front campaigns, cultural and youth exchanges, and economic influence aimed at co-opting pro-reunification forces and undermining Taiwan's societal cohesion from within. In response, President Lai Ching-te has taken a hardline stance, increasing military spending and urging whole-of-society defence readiness in anticipation of a potential Chinese invasion.
China has also proposed its "one country, two systems" constitutional principle as a unification model, a concept that is overwhelmingly rejected by the Taiwanese public. Polls indicate over 80% of Taiwanese oppose this model, citing breaches of the principle in Hong Kong as proof of its risks.
Taiwanese activists and politicians have broadly rejected Beijing’s unification efforts and endorsed strengthening Taiwan's autonomous defence and democratic identity. They warn of internal threats from fifth-column actors acting as Beijing’s agents and call for increased vigilance against political subversion and coercion.
The KMT, one of Taiwan's two main political forces, has faced criticism for its close relationship with the CCP and for parroting CCP rhetoric. The opposition's moves to paralyse the government of President Lai Ching-te have triggered confrontation with the DPP and inflamed the wider public, leading to a campaign to petition for recalling KMT lawmakers.
In addition, the amount of disinformation China has distributed into Taiwan has risen 60% over the past year, according to Taiwan's National Security Bureau. Concerns about Beijing potentially subverting Taiwan from within are growing, with many fearing that China could tap into long-standing cultural and economic links, groom collaborators, and sideline the country's elected government.
In 2024, the number of Taiwanese prosecuted on charges of espionage for China jumped to 64, up from just 10 in 2022. This underscores the ongoing threat China poses to Taiwan's security and sovereignty.
In summary, the current cross-strait tensions are defined by a multidimensional pressure-response dynamic, with Taiwan maintaining firm resistance to Beijing’s annexation ambitions and China escalating pressure through varied means short of direct invasion. Taiwanese activists and politicians continue to call for increased vigilance and strengthening of the country's defence and democratic identity in the face of these challenges.
Political news frequently discusses China's approach to Taiwan, which includes attempts at annexation through a combination of military intimidation, political warfare, and economic influence. General news outlets cover these issues extensively, highlighting Taiwan's efforts to defend its sovereignty and democracy while also reporting on internal threats from fifth-column actors and concerns about disinformation and subversion from China.
Politics play a significant role in these cross-strait tensions, with Chinese leaders employing united front campaigns and cultural exchanges to co-opt pro-reunification forces, while Taiwanese leaders take hardline stances to promote defence readiness and counter Chinese influence. During this time, important general news topics include the ongoing threat China poses to Taiwan's security, the high number of Taiwanese prosecuted for espionage, and concerns about political subversion and coercion from within.
