Taiwan’s President, William Lai, has issued a strong condemnation of China’s new Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress, asserting that Taiwan will reject any form of “red terror” or attempts by Beijing to increase its influence over the island. During a Democratic Progressive Party Central Executive Committee meeting, Lai criticized the law as an extension of China’s authoritarian policies that pose threats beyond its borders. He vowed that Taiwan would bolster its efforts to protect its citizens and national interests from Beijing’s rising political pressures.
The legislation, which was passed by China’s National People’s Congress in March and has recently come into effect, mandates Chinese citizens to support national unification. It grants authorities the power to hold individuals or organizations accountable for actions deemed harmful to ethnic unity or supportive of ethnic division, although it lacks clear definitions of these offenses. Taiwanese critics believe the law aims to assert that the Taiwanese people are part of a larger Chinese national identity.
Lai expressed concerns that the law could be used to justify enforcement actions across borders, increasing pressure on people and organizations outside mainland China. Citing over 110 instances of cross-border pressure on Taiwan by Beijing, he warned that such actions could expand. He noted that foreign governments, businesses, lawmakers, civil society groups, and private individuals might also face arbitrary measures under the law’s broad scope.
In response to these challenges, the Taiwanese government intends to enhance monitoring systems, develop early warning mechanisms, and review policies to protect citizens from foreign interference. Lai announced plans to expand media literacy initiatives, improve training for civil servants, and create more robust prevention and response systems to counter what he sees as Beijing’s increasing campaign of cross-border repression. Taiwan is also committed to working with democratic allies to raise global awareness of human rights issues and defend its sovereignty.
Echoing the president’s concerns, Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs labeled the legislation as another attempt by Beijing to extend its legal reach beyond its borders, conflicting with international norms and human rights standards. The ministry argued that the law’s ambiguous language could lead to self-censorship and uncertainty among those fearing retaliation. The legislation has attracted criticism from several international entities, including the United States, Japan, the European Union, the United Nations, and Amnesty International, all of which have voiced apprehensions about its potential impact on human rights, legal clarity, and freedom of expression.