TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Mainland Affairs Council Deputy Minister Shen You-chung (沈有忠) on Thursday called on democratic nations to boycott and condemn China’s Sept. 3 military parade, warning Beijing could use the event to drive a wedge between democracies.
Speaking at a symposium in Taichung, Shen noted Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (王毅) recently met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who confirmed he will attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Tianjin on Sunday and Monday, per Liberty Times.
While Modi has not said whether he will also attend the parade, Shen cautioned that because the SCO summit and parade are close in timing, Beijing may try to bring visiting leaders to the military ceremony, which commemorates the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II.
According to Shen, Indian media have voiced concern that US-India trade frictions could create an opening for Beijing to court New Delhi. He said the MAC reviewed India’s stance on cross-strait issues and found India avoids mentioning Taiwan, rarely refers to the “one China” principle, and did not include Taiwan in its 1949 communique establishing diplomatic ties with Beijing.
Shen said Indian commentators worry Modi could signal acceptance of the “one China” principle during talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in exchange for concessions on border disputes or trade. They also warned that if Modi attends the parade and is seen alongside Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin, it could symbolize a strategic shift in Indian diplomacy.
Whether Modi and Xi issue a joint statement, or whether Modi appears at the parade, are matters of “great concern” to Taipei, Shen said.
He added that the key question is which countries will attend the parade and whether any EU nations will send leaders. So far, only Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has been reported as planning to go.
“We hope that free and democratic nations will not only refrain from taking part in China’s Sept. 3 parade, but also boycott or condemn it,” Shen said. “China may use the Sept. 3 military parade as an occasion to sow division among democracies, and this warrants close attention.”
