At a press briefing on July 16, State Council Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Chen Binhua described the so-called 'risk' claims by the Lai Ching-te administration as slanderous and aimed at intimidating Taiwanese people and creating a 'chilling effect.'
Lai had recently claimed at a Democratic Progressive Party central standing committee meeting that the mainland's Anti-Secession Law and the Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress constitute 'long-arm jurisdiction and cross-border suppression,' creating a 'chilling effect' on democratic societies. He also vowed to 'unite to defend democracy' and prevent 'authoritarianism' from harming Taiwan.
In response, Chen clarified the legislative intent of both laws. He stated that the Anti-Secession Law is designed to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, deter 'Taiwan independence' separatist activities, maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, promote the peaceful development of cross-strait relations, and advance national reunification, reflecting the common will of all Chinese people. The Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress is a promotional law that safeguards the fundamental and overall interests of the Chinese nation, providing a solid legal foundation for ethnic unity and progress, and gathering strength from all Chinese people, including compatriots in Taiwan.
Chen further criticized Lai for continuously engaging in 'Taiwan independence' provocations since taking office, hyping up a false narrative of 'democracy versus authoritarianism,' deliberately escalating cross-strait confrontation, and obstructing exchanges and cooperation. He accused Lai of trampling on democracy, undermining the rule of law, restricting freedoms on the island, imposing 'green terror,' and binding Taiwanese people to the 'Taiwan independence' chariot for personal gain, pushing Taiwan into a dangerous situation of potential conflict.
Chen emphasized that 'Taiwan independence' is fundamentally incompatible with peace in the Taiwan Strait and runs counter to the mainstream public opinion in Taiwan that desires peace, development, exchanges, and cooperation. Regardless of what the Lai administration says or does, it cannot change the basic landscape of cross-strait relations, nor can it stop the historical trend of inevitable national reunification. He called on Taiwanese compatriots to recognize the ambitions of the Lai administration and 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces, stand on the right side of history, firmly foster a sense of the Chinese national community, resolutely oppose 'Taiwan independence' separatism and external interference, and safeguard peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the common home of the Chinese nation.