In a forceful rebuke, Taiwan’s President William Lai has condemned China’s recent enactment of the Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress, asserting that Taiwan will resist what he termed “red terror” and any efforts by Beijing to extend its influence over the island. Addressing the Central Executive Committee of the Democratic Progressive Party, Lai characterized the new law as an expansion of China’s authoritarian reach, warning of its potential repercussions beyond Chinese borders. He affirmed Taiwan’s commitment to bolstering defenses to protect its citizens and national interests from Beijing’s increasing political pressure.
The controversial law, which was passed by China’s National People’s Congress in March and has now come into effect, mandates Chinese citizens to endorse national unification. It grants authorities the power to hold individuals or organizations accountable for actions deemed detrimental to ethnic unity or supportive of ethnic division, though it fails to clearly delineate these offenses. Critics in Taiwan argue that this legislation aims to reinforce the narrative that Taiwanese people are part of a wider Chinese national identity.
Lai cautioned that the law might be employed to justify cross-border enforcement, escalating pressure on entities outside of mainland China. He highlighted over 110 instances where Beijing has exerted cross-border pressure on Taiwan and expressed concern that such actions could become more widespread. According to Lai, the law’s broad scope could subject foreign governments, businesses, lawmakers, civil society groups, and private individuals to arbitrary measures.
In response to these threats, the Taiwanese government intends to enhance monitoring systems, refine early warning mechanisms, and review policies designed to shield citizens from external interference. Lai also outlined plans to expand media literacy programs, improve training for civil servants, and develop robust prevention and response systems to counter what he described as Beijing’s escalating campaign of cross-border repression. Taiwan will continue its collaboration with democratic allies to elevate global awareness of human rights issues and uphold its sovereignty.
Echoing these concerns, Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized the legislation as another attempt by Beijing to extend its legal authority beyond its borders, conflicting with international norms and human rights principles. The ministry argued that the law’s ambiguous language could lead to self-censorship and create uncertainty among those fearing retaliation. The legislation has faced international criticism from entities such as the United States, Japan, the European Union, the United Nations, and Amnesty International, all of which have voiced concerns about its ramifications for human rights, legal clarity, and freedom of expression.