united front in Taiwan
{{Short description|Chinese Communist Party strategy applied to Taiwan}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
The united front in Taiwan is an aspect of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the Government of China's larger united front strategy, applied to Taiwan, to achieve unification.{{Cite web|last=Cole|first=J. Michael|date=2019-12-27|title=Taiwan and CCP political warfare: A blueprint|url=https://sinopsis.cz/en/taiwan-and-ccp-political-warfare-a-blueprint/|access-date=2022-01-16|website=Sinopsis|language=en-US|archive-date=30 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230154118/https://sinopsis.cz/en/taiwan-and-ccp-political-warfare-a-blueprint/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last=Hong|first=Brendon|date=28 October 2020|title=China's Real Invasion of Taiwan Has Already Started|language=en|work=The Daily Beast|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/chinas-real-invasion-of-taiwan-has-already-started-through-the-united-front|access-date=29 October 2020|archive-date=28 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028190944/https://www.thedailybeast.com/chinas-real-invasion-of-taiwan-has-already-started-through-the-united-front|url-status=live}} It relies on the presence of pro-Beijing sympathizers in Taiwan combined with a carrot-and-stick approach of threatening war with Taiwan while offering opportunities for business and cultural exchanges.{{Cite news |last=McCarthy |first=Simone |date=August 1, 2022 |title='Win hearts and minds' in Taiwan and Hong Kong, Xi urges Communist Party |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/08/01/china/china-xi-jinping-united-front-taiwan-hong-kong-intl-hnk-mic/index.html |access-date=2022-08-01 |website=CNN |archive-date=1 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220801175107/https://www.cnn.com/2022/08/01/china/china-xi-jinping-united-front-taiwan-hong-kong-intl-hnk-mic/index.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite book|last1=Tsang|first1=Steve Yui-Sang|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vXPL13vLhmIC|title=Democratization in Taiwan: Implications for China|last2=Tien|first2=Hung-mao|date=1999|publisher=Macmillan|isbn=978-0-333-73783-5|language=en|access-date=4 November 2016|archive-date=27 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230827191423/https://books.google.com/books?id=vXPL13vLhmIC|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last1=Yu-fu|first1=Chen|last2=Chin|first2=Jonathan|date=September 5, 2021|title=Beijing boosts influence drive: report|work=Taipei Times|url=https://taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2021/09/05/2003763834|access-date=September 5, 2021|archive-date=6 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210906025153/https://taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2021/09/05/2003763834|url-status=live}} According to officials of Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council, the CCP has long relied on organized crime as part of its united front tactics in Taiwan.{{Cite web |last=Cooper |first=Sam |title=Beijing uses organized crime to interfere in Taiwan's elections, and likely does in Canada: Taiwanese official |url=https://www.thebureau.news/p/beijing-uses-organized-crime-to-interfere |access-date=2023-09-06 |website=www.thebureau.news |language=en |archive-date=13 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231013144928/https://www.thebureau.news/p/beijing-uses-organized-crime-to-interfere |url-status=live }} Critics who are negative of Chinese unification have linked the term "united front" to Chinese imperialism and expansionism.{{Cite news |date=2023-05-08 |title=Notes from Central Taiwan: Imaginings of another Taiwan |quote=Today we know terms like “united front” in the context of Chinese imperialism and expansionism, but in the 1930s the term had another meaning: it encapsulated the desire of Asians struggling to form a “united front” against external imperialism. |newspaper=Taipei Times |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2023/05/08/2003799356 |access-date=30 April 2024 |archive-date=28 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628142054/https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2023/05/08/2003799356 |url-status=live }}
History
{{Neoconservatism in China|Alliances}}
In 2011, Xi Jinping instructed cadres to "make full use" of Mazu for promotion of Chinese unification.{{Cite news |date=September 19, 2019 |title=China's atheist Communist Party encourages folk religion |url=https://www.economist.com/china/2019/09/19/chinas-atheist-communist-party-encourages-folk-religion |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616152424/https://www.economist.com/china/2019/09/19/chinas-atheist-communist-party-encourages-folk-religion |archive-date=June 16, 2023 |access-date=2023-06-16 |newspaper=The Economist |issn=0013-0613 |quote=In 2011 Mr Xi urged officials to "make full use" of Mazu to woo Taiwanese, most of whom have ancestral ties with the mainland.}} Temples in Taiwan, especially in rural areas, have been the most prominent targets for influence operations as they are meeting grounds for prominent local figures and financial donations to temples remain unregulated.{{Cite news |last=Pomfret |first=James |last2=Lee |first2=Yimou |date=December 21, 2023 |title=China wields Mazu 'peace goddess' religion as weapon in Taiwan election |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/china-wields-peace-goddess-religion-weapon-taiwan-election-2023-12-21/ |access-date=December 21, 2023 |work=Reuters}}{{Cite news |last=Wong |first=Tessa |last2=Chang |first2=Joy |date=2023-12-29 |title=The worshippers caught between China and Taiwan |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-67779220 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230175438/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-67779220 |archive-date=December 30, 2023 |access-date=2023-12-30 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}{{Cite news |date=10 January 2024 |title=China targets Taiwan's temples, Matsu worshippers in influence ops |url=https://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/taiwan-goddess-01102024103041.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240111044835/https://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/taiwan-goddess-01102024103041.html |archive-date=January 11, 2024 |access-date=11 January 2024 |work=Radio Free Asia}}
Starting in 2017, the All-China Federation of Taiwan Compatriots took on a more prominent role in the CCP's united front efforts directed at Taiwan.{{Cite web |date=2017-05-07 |title=Civilian group from mainland China to take more prominent role in cross-strait affairs |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2093280/civilian-group-mainland-china-take-more-prominent-role |access-date=2023-08-27 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en |archive-date=15 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230515024912/https://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2093280/civilian-group-mainland-china-take-more-prominent-role |url-status=live }}
According to Sinologist Gerry Groot, the CCP's abrogation of one country, two systems in Hong Kong following the 2019–2020 Hong Kong protests "was noted in Taiwan, where it made the work of the tiny minority of pro-unification activists even harder and reinforced the skepticism of others regarding the value of CCP promises."{{Cite news |last=Groot |first=Gerry |date=October 19, 2022 |title=The Life and Death of United Front Promises From Revolution to (Re)-Unification Past, Present and Future |work=China Brief |publisher=Jamestown Foundation |url=https://jamestown.org/program/the-life-and-death-of-united-front-promises-from-revolution-to-re-unification-past-present-and-future/ |access-date=October 19, 2022 |archive-date=19 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019235908/https://jamestown.org/program/the-life-and-death-of-united-front-promises-from-revolution-to-re-unification-past-present-and-future/ |url-status=live }} Others have also perceived its failure to persuade Taiwanese.{{Cite news |last=Purbrick |first=Martin |date=April 12, 2023 |title=United Front Work and Beyond: How the Chinese Communist Party Penetrates the United States and Western Societies |language=en-US |work=Jamestown Foundation |url=https://jamestown.org/program/united-front-work-and-beyond-how-the-chinese-communist-party-penetrates-the-united-states-and-western-societies/ |access-date=2023-04-15 |archive-date=15 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230415213234/https://jamestown.org/program/united-front-work-and-beyond-how-the-chinese-communist-party-penetrates-the-united-states-and-western-societies/ |url-status=live }}
In 2022, Taiwan's National Security Bureau chief stated that the CCP had provided training to local internet celebrities in "cognitive warfare" campaigns to spread propaganda.{{Cite news |title=Some Taiwanese Youtubers on CCP payroll: intelligence chief |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/cross-strait/202205160007 |access-date=2022-05-17 |website=Central News Agency (Taiwan) |language=en-US |archive-date=17 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220517073147/https://focustaiwan.tw/cross-strait/202205160007 |url-status=live }}
In 2023, Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council stated in a report that the CCP's united front efforts in Taiwan through "cognitive warfare" were increasing.{{Cite news |date=2023-05-16 |title=China to increase 'united front' efforts: MAC report |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2023/05/16/2003799875 |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=Taipei Times |archive-date=5 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605132037/https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2023/05/16/2003799875 |url-status=live }}
During the run-up to the 2024 Taiwanese presidential election, the All-China Federation of Taiwan Compatriots coordinated editorial attacks against Democratic Progressive Party presidential candidate Lai Ching-te, framing him as "pro-war"; Lai later won the election.{{Cite web |title=China-Taiwan Weekly Update, July 27, 2023 |url=https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/china-taiwan-weekly-update-july-27-2023 |access-date=2023-08-27 |website=Critical Threats |publisher=American Enterprise Institute |archive-date=29 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230729002233/https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/china-taiwan-weekly-update-july-27-2023 |url-status=live }} In November 2023, Taiwanese prosecutors investigated individuals accused of recruiting Taiwanese tourists on trips to mainland China paid for by the Taiwan Affairs Office, in which they met with representatives of the United Front Work Department (UFWD) and were urged to vote for pan-Blue candidates.{{Cite web |last=Shan |first=Shelley |date=2023-11-29 |title=Suspects running China-funded tours |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2023/11/29/2003809860 |access-date=2023-12-02 |website=Taipei Times |archive-date=3 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203031151/https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2023/11/29/2003809860 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2023-12-27 |title=First charge laid over China voter tours |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2023/12/27/2003811211 |access-date=2023-12-28 |website=Taipei Times |archive-date=14 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240114192547/https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2023/12/27/2003811211 |url-status=live }} According to a Taiwan security official, more than 1,000 Taiwanese local officials had visited China on junkets in 2023.{{Cite news |last=Lee |first=Yimou |date=2023-11-30 |title=Exclusive: China lures hundreds of Taiwan politicians with cheap trips before election |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/china-lures-hundreds-taiwan-politicians-with-cheap-trips-before-election-sources-2023-12-01/ |access-date=2025-04-23 |work=Reuters}} A Liberty Times investigation showed that almost 30% of the 456 borough chiefs in Taipei had taken trips in 2023 to mainland China subsidized by the Chinese government.{{Cite news |last=Hsin-hui |first=Yang |date=2023-12-04 |title=Borough heads questioned over tours |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2023/12/04/2003810095 |access-date=2025-04-23 |work=Taipei Times}}
Organizations
Two bureaus of the Ministry of State Security, the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations and the Institute of Taiwan Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, share intelligence collection and analysis on Taiwan.{{Cite web |last=Hsiao |first=Russell |date=2023-08-23 |title=Personnel Changes at the PRC's Organs for Taiwan Intelligence Analysis |url=https://globaltaiwan.org/2023/08/personnel-changes-at-the-prcs-organs-for-taiwan-intelligence-analysis/ |access-date=2023-09-04 |website=Global Taiwan Institute |language=en-US |archive-date=3 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231103232809/https://globaltaiwan.org/2023/08/personnel-changes-at-the-prcs-organs-for-taiwan-intelligence-analysis/ |url-status=live }}
The UFWD sponsors paid trips and summer camps to mainland China for Taiwanese youth. The trips are reported to promote pro-Chinese unification sentiment.{{Cite news |date=July 11, 2024 |title=Songs, pandas and praise for Xi: how China courts young Taiwanese |url=https://www.economist.com/china/2024/07/11/songs-pandas-and-praise-for-xi-how-china-courts-young-taiwanese |url-access=subscription |access-date=2024-07-12 |work=The Economist |issn=0013-0613 |archive-date=11 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240711232322/https://www.economist.com/china/2024/07/11/songs-pandas-and-praise-for-xi-how-china-courts-young-taiwanese |url-status=live }}
Responses
{{Further|Anti-Infiltration Act}}
In February 2025, Taiwan's Ministry of Education barred two schools affiliated with the UFWD, Huaqiao University and Jinan University, from conducting exchanges in Taiwan.{{Cite web |date=2025-02-20 |title=Taiwan blacklists two Chinese schools |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2025/02/20/2003832176 |access-date=2025-02-22 |website=Taipei Times}} The ministry also stated it would no longer recognize qualifications from schools associated with the UFWD.{{Cite web |date=2025-02-20 |title=Taiwan to no longer recognize qualifications from United Front schools (update) |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/cross-strait/202502200012 |access-date=2025-02-22 |website=Focus Taiwan |language=en-US}} The same month, the same ministry banned exchanges with the Seven Sons of National Defence.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-01 |title=Seven Chinese universities sanctioned |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2025/03/01/2003832691 |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=Taipei Times}} In March 2025, Taiwanese president Lai Ching-te gave a policy speech in which he promised greater efforts to crack down on PRC espionage and infiltration in Taiwan.{{Cite web |last=Dotson |first=John |date=2025-04-02 |title=The Lai Administration Vows Renewed Efforts to Combat PRC Espionage and Subversion |url=https://globaltaiwan.org/2025/04/the-lai-administration-vows-renewed-efforts-to-combat-prc-espionage-and-subversion/ |access-date=2025-04-05 |website=Global Taiwan Institute |language=en-US}}
See also
- Cross-Strait relations
- Political status of Taiwan
- China Council for the Promotion of Peaceful National Reunification
- Chinese Unification Promotion Party
- Far-right politics § Taiwan (Republic of China)
- New Party (Taiwan)
- Patriot Alliance Association
- Taiwan People's Communist Party
- United front (China)
- United front in Hong Kong
- Today Hong Kong, Tomorrow Taiwan, Day After Tomorrow Okinawa
- Central Leading Group for Taiwan Affairs
- Taiwan Affairs Office
- Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Cross-Strait relations}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Cross-strait relations