China-Taiwan, Verbal Clash Ahead of Presidential Election: "War Risk" vs "Election Interference"

Chinese State Council Criticizes Taiwan Ruling Party Candidate
"Peace Moves Further Away, War Draws Closer"
Taiwan Urges "Stop Provocative Remarks and Actions"

With the Taiwan presidential election scheduled for the 13th, China and Taiwan engaged in a war of words. As China harshly criticized Lai Ching-te, the pro-independence and pro-American candidate from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), Taiwan responded by accusing China of blatantly revealing its intention to interfere in the election.

Candidate Lai Ching-te of Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)
[Image source=Reuters News Agency]

According to the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council of China on the 11th, spokesperson Chen Binhua stated in a commentary released the previous night, "The so-called Tsai Ing-wen line is a Taiwan independence line and a confrontational line, which is the root cause of the risk of war and social division in Taiwan," adding, "Following Tsai Ing-wen's line will distance Taiwan from peace and prosperity and bring it closer to war and decline." This was a criticism of Lai, who on the 9th stated at a press conference that he would cooperate with China according to the current President Tsai Ing-wen’s line.

Spokesperson Chen described Lai as a "stubborn Taiwan independence activist," saying, "If he comes to power, Taiwan independence and separatist activities will be further promoted." He also claimed, "The so-called new phase that Lai Ching-te wants to create will put the Taiwan Strait at risk of violent storms and rough waves." He emphasized, "We sincerely hope that the Taiwanese compatriots recognize the dangers of the DPP's independence line and the risks of cross-strait confrontation caused by Lai Ching-te, and make the right choice to create a phase of prosperity and development."

The Chinese government's move is interpreted as an effort to support the Kuomintang (KMT) candidate, the main opposition party with a pro-China stance, by warning Taiwanese voters that choosing the DPP candidate will worsen cross-strait relations ahead of the Taiwan presidential election.

In response, Taiwan expressed strong dissatisfaction and stern condemnation, calling it a clear election interference by China. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Taiwan stated in a press release posted on its website that afternoon, "Peace, stability, and the maintenance of the status quo in the Taiwan Strait are a general consensus of the international community, and President Tsai has worked hard to maintain the status quo since taking office," adding, "We have repeatedly emphasized that maintaining the status quo is Taiwan's position and have made every effort to prevent unilateral changes to the current situation."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also criticized, "Ahead of the Taiwan presidential election, China fails to recognize the suspicions and antipathy of the international community and disregards the resentment of the Taiwanese people, attempting to threaten with the so-called 'choice between war and peace.'" It further stressed, "Open and violent acts of election interference cause tension and confrontation in cross-strait relations and regional development," emphasizing, "This does not help the sound development of cross-strait relations, peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the region, nor does it align with the interests and expectations of other countries."

Referring to the four-character idiom 'Hyeon-ae Neuk-ma (懸崖勒馬, meaning to rein in a horse at the edge of a cliff to stop),' Taiwan urged, "We call for the cessation of any provocative remarks and actions."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.