Foreign Minister Joseph Wu
Taiwan’s foreign minister accused China on Saturday of attempting to shape Taiwan’s impending election, following the commencement of Chinese military exercises surrounding the island.
“The PRC has made it clear it wants to shape Taiwan’s coming national election”, Foreign Minister Joseph Wu stated on the ministry’s official X account.
“Well, it’s up to our citizens to decide, not the bully next door”, he added.
China stated earlier Saturday that it has begun cooperative air and sea patrols, as well as naval and air force exercises, surrounding the island of Taiwan.
Taiwan’s military reported 42 Chinese airplanes making incursions around the island’s air defence zone by afternoon, with eight Chinese boats also taking part in the drills.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also criticized China’s military exercises on Saturday, saying Beijing utilized various intimidating speeches and fake news to openly intervene and interfere in our country’s democratic election process.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemns in the strongest terms China’s authoritarian government’s brutal efforts to interfere in the election”, it added.
Beijing has increased political and military pressures on Taiwan in the last year, sending in near-daily warplane incursions and boats around the island.
The military exercises on Saturday are considered as a response to Taiwan’s Vice President William Lai’s travel to the United States, first to New York its route to Paraguay, and then to San Francisco on his way back to Taipei.
Lai is also a presidential contender in Taiwan’s January elections, and he is now the frontrunner.
China particularly opposes Lai since he has previously spoken out for Taiwan’s status. Lai, like current President Tsai Ing-wen, does not acknowledge China’s claim to Taiwan.
Furthermore, he identified himself as a pragmatic Taiwan independence worker, prompting Beijing to label him a ‘troublemaker’ in response.
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