China’s newly enacted Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Law is raising alarms in Taiwan, where security officials fear it could broaden Beijing’s reach to suppress critics living overseas. Effective this week, the legislation mandates Chinese citizens to uphold national unity and authorizes legal actions against those accused of fostering division, regardless of their location.
A Taiwanese security official outlined several strategies China uses for transnational repression, including criminalizing anti-government speech abroad and threatening critics by targeting their families back home. The official noted that Beijing also exploits international legal systems, such as Interpol red notices, to pursue dissidents, brands pro-democracy advocates as extremists, and conducts abductions or forced repatriations.
Moreover, the official accused China of establishing overseas police stations to surveil and exert pressure on its critics residing in other countries. Such actions, they argue, may infringe upon international laws and diplomatic protocols, sparking further concerns about China’s global influence.
In response to these developments, Taiwan is intensifying efforts to alert the public about the potential hazards of traveling to China. Additionally, the government is bolstering measures to counteract activities that could enable foreign interference, aiming to safeguard its citizens and maintain national security.