Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmakers yesterday decried an alleged Chinese investigation into political donations made by Taiwanese businesses that operate in China, saying that the democratic value of transparency should not be used for political oppression.
The Chinese government is allegedly looking into whether Taiwanese corporations with operations in China have donated to the pan-green camp — which in Taiwan is public information — and aims to have the firms make “political statements” akin to that made by Taiwan-based cafe and bakery chain 85°C (85度C), a source said yesterday.
The cafe on Aug. 15 declared its support for the so-called “1992 consensus” and the peaceful development of cross-strait ties when Chinese netizens threatened to boycott the chain after one of its branches in Los Angeles allegedly gave President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) a gift package while she was en route to Paraguay and Belize.
Photo: CNA
Some Taiwanese corporations have already approached pan-green politicians and legislators “seeking help,” the source said.
Asked for comment, Deputy Legislative Speaker Tsai Chi-chang (蔡其昌) said: “While we encourage the transparency of political donations to civil servants, the identity of Taiwanese corporations in China that make donations should be protected.”
Beijing intrusions just deepen Taiwanese loathing for China and such actions “are ill-willed acts to undermine cross-strait development,” he added.
Information made public under the Political Donations Act (政治獻金法) should not make donors a target of political suppression, DPP Legislator Lai Jui-lung (賴瑞隆) said.
Any such action seeking to counter democratic values and influence economic activity should be condemned, Lai said.
The 85°C incident serves as a lesson on Chinese intrusion into the private affairs of companies and Beijing continuing the practice as a way to oppress Taiwanese corporations in China would only further alienate Taiwanese, he said.
National security-related agencies should have a stronger response to political threats made by an authoritarian China against Taiwan’s democracy, Lai said.
Domestic political parties should not collude with China to oppress Taiwanese democratic values, which were hard-fought and could be lost if allowed to slip away, Lai added.
The declaration of political donations should not lead to donors’ right to privacy being breached, a DPP party official said on condition of anonymity, adding that the information should only be revealed if criminal activity is suspected, or in other “special” circumstances.
Asked whether the alleged breach by China would result in fewer donations to the pan-green camp, DPP Legislator Kuan Bi-ling (管碧玲) said the move by Beijing would be ineffective and only cause China to lose further support in Taiwan, while DPP Legislator Tsai Yi-yu (蔡易餘) said it would not only fail to cut off funding for the party, but also “help the campaigns of pan-green candidates.”
DPP Legislator Rosalia Wu (吳思瑤) said the alleged Chinese actions were absurd and constituted a direct intrusion into Taiwanese politics and elections, adding that such actions would only have adverse effects.
NETWORK-MAPPING PROJECT: The database contains 170 detailed files of Taiwanese politicians and about 23 million records of household registration data in Taiwan China has developed a network-mapping project targeting political figures and parties in Taiwan to monitor public opinion during elections and to craft tailored influence campaigns aimed at dividing Taiwanese society, according to documents leaked by Chinese technology firm GoLaxy (中科天璣). The documents, collected by Taipei-based Doublethink Lab, showed a database was specifically created to gather detailed information on Taiwanese political figures, including their political affiliations, job histories, birthplaces, residences, education, religion and a brief biography about them. Several notable Taiwanese politicians are in the database, including President William Lai (賴清德), former president Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍),
KEY INDUSTRY: The vice premier discussed a plan to create a non-red drone supply chain by next year, which has been allocated a budget of more than NT$7.2 billion The government has budgeted NT$44.2 billion (US$1.38 billion) to cultivate Taiwan’s uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) industry over the next five years, which would make the nation a major player in the industry’s democratic supply chain in the Asia-Pacific region, Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) said yesterday. Cho made the remarks during a visit to the facilities of Cub Elecparts Inc (為升電裝). Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Chen Su-yueh (陳素月) and Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Hsieh Yi-fong (謝依鳳) also participated in the trip. Cub Elecparts has transitioned from the automotive industry to the defense industry, which is the top priority among the nation’s
UPGRADED MISSILE: The Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology is reportedly to conduct a live-fire test of the Hsiung Feng III anti-ship missile on Thursday next week The US Army is planning to build new facilities to boost explosives production and strengthen its supply chain, a move aimed at addressing munitions shortages and supporting obligations to partners including Taiwan, Ukraine and Israel, Defense News reported. The army has issued a sources sought notice for a proposed Center of Excellence at the Blue Grass Army Depot in Kentucky, the report said. The facility would serve as a hub within the US industrial base for the production of key military explosives, including research department explosives (RDX) and high melting explosives (HMX), while also supporting research and development of next-generation materials. The proposed
SOUTH KOREA DISPUTE: If Seoul continues to ignore its request, Taiwan would change South Korea’s designation on its arrival cards, the foreign ministry said If South Korea does not reply appropriately to a request to correct Taiwan’s name on its e-Arrival card system before March 31, the government would take corresponding measures to change how South Korea is labeled on the online Taiwan Arrival Card system, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said yesterday. South Korea’s e-Arrival card system lists Taiwan as “China (Taiwan)” in the “point of departure” and “next destination” fields. Taipei has asked Seoul to change the wording. Since March 1, South Koreans who hold government-issued Alien Resident Certificates (ARC) have been identified as from “South Korea” rather than the “Republic of Korea,” the
RSS