TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — China is trying to stop Taiwan from speaking for itself abroad while pushing Beijing’s view of Taiwan, Academia Sinica Associate Research Professor Chen Yu-jie (陳玉潔) said Tuesday.
In her article published by The Diplomat, Chen said China wants the world to hear only Beijing’s version of Taiwan’s story. She said this could make Taiwan appear to be the cause of tension, even as China increases military, diplomatic, and political pressure on Taiwan.
Chen pointed to President Lai Ching-te’s (賴清德) delayed trip to Eswatini as one example. She said Mauritius, Seychelles, and Madagascar refused to let Lai’s plane pass through their airspace, forcing him to postpone the visit.
Eswatini is Taiwan’s only diplomatic ally in Africa. Lai later reached the country by another route with help from Eswatini, showing Taiwan still found a way to maintain ties with its ally.
Chen said China is also trying to limit Taiwan’s role in international organizations and meetings. She said Taiwan was kept out of the World Health Assembly in Geneva, even though Taiwan could share useful public health experience with other countries.
She also said China pushed for the cancellation of a global human rights meeting because Taiwanese civil society groups were expected to take part. Chen said these examples show Beijing is trying to reduce the international space available to Taiwan’s leaders, officials, and citizens.
Chen said US President Donald Trump echoed part of Beijing’s framing after meeting Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Trump said Taiwan had “somebody there now that wants to go independent,” a comment Chen said made Taiwan look responsible for cross-strait tension.
Chen said most Taiwanese want peace and want to preserve their democratic way of life. She said Taiwan’s goal is to maintain the status quo, protect peace, and keep stability in the Taiwan Strait.
For many Taiwanese, Chen said, the status quo means choosing their own leaders and living under a democratic system without needing China’s permission. She said the world should listen to Taiwan directly before accepting Beijing’s claims about Taiwan.
