TAIPEI: Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen urged parliament on Wednesday (Dec 25) to have more discussion on a proposed anti-infiltration Bill which the government says is needed to combat Chinese influence and has been condemned by the main opposition and Beijing.
The legislation is part of a years-long effort to combat what many in Taiwan see as Chinese efforts to influence politics and the democratic process on the island. China claims Taiwan as its territory, to be brought under Beijing's control by force if necessary.
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Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has begun a renewed push for the legislation, ahead of presidential and parliamentary elections on Jan 11, and it could be passed before the end of the year.
Taiwan's main opposition party, the Kuomintang, which favours close ties with China, has condemned the proposed legislation as a "political tool" of Tsai and her DPP to gain votes while trying to paint them as Chinese Communist Party agents.
Speaking at a policy presentation on live television, Tsai said other democracies around the world had either already passed or were looking at passing such legislation to prevent Chinese interference in their internal affairs.
"Compared to these countries, Taiwan is more directly confronted with various threats and infiltration from China," said Tsai.
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But some people at home think this "democratic protection net" is a provocation and akin to martial law, she added.
"I think this is a very negative and undesirable view."
Those who have concerns about the law need to detail exactly what those concerns are and not just sprout empty phrases against it, Tsai said.
People can have a thorough discussion on this in parliament, she added.
"I believe that in the Legislative Yuan, as long as everyone sits down and has a good talk, there will be plenty of time and space for everyone to have a thorough discussion."
Speaking earlier in the day in BeijingRead More – Source
TAIPEI: Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen urged parliament on Wednesday (Dec 25) to have more discussion on a proposed anti-infiltration Bill which the government says is needed to combat Chinese influence and has been condemned by the main opposition and Beijing.
The legislation is part of a years-long effort to combat what many in Taiwan see as Chinese efforts to influence politics and the democratic process on the island. China claims Taiwan as its territory, to be brought under Beijing's control by force if necessary.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has begun a renewed push for the legislation, ahead of presidential and parliamentary elections on Jan 11, and it could be passed before the end of the year.
Taiwan's main opposition party, the Kuomintang, which favours close ties with China, has condemned the proposed legislation as a "political tool" of Tsai and her DPP to gain votes while trying to paint them as Chinese Communist Party agents.
Speaking at a policy presentation on live television, Tsai said other democracies around the world had either already passed or were looking at passing such legislation to prevent Chinese interference in their internal affairs.
"Compared to these countries, Taiwan is more directly confronted with various threats and infiltration from China," said Tsai.
Advertisement
Advertisement
But some people at home think this "democratic protection net" is a provocation and akin to martial law, she added.
"I think this is a very negative and undesirable view."
Those who have concerns about the law need to detail exactly what those concerns are and not just sprout empty phrases against it, Tsai said.
People can have a thorough discussion on this in parliament, she added.
"I believe that in the Legislative Yuan, as long as everyone sits down and has a good talk, there will be plenty of time and space for everyone to have a thorough discussion."
Speaking earlier in the day in BeijingRead More – Source
