Beijing says Taiwan’s anti-infiltration bill causing ‘alarm’ for investors
- Island’s ruling DPP using ‘law revisions’ to incite hostility and restrict normal exchanges across Taiwan Strait, policymaking office says
- Draft bill prohibits anyone donating to a political party, influencing elections or otherwise seeking to sway Taiwanese politics on the instructions of ‘infiltration sources’
The legislation is part of a years-long effort to combat what many in Taiwan see as the mainland’s efforts to influence its politics and the democratic process. Beijing claims Taiwan as its territory, to be brought under control by force if necessary.
Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has begun a renewed push for the legislation, ahead of presidential and parliamentary elections on January 11, and it could be passed before the end of the year.
The draft bill prohibits anyone donating to a political party, influencing elections or otherwise seeking to sway Taiwanese politics on the instructions of or with the financial support of “infiltration sources” – generally taken to mean the mainland.
In Beijing, Zhu Fenglian, spokeswoman for the mainland’s policy making Taiwan Affairs Office, said the DPP had been using such “law revisions” to incite hostility and restrict normal exchanges across the Taiwan Strait.