Category：Politics

Taiwan hit with new wave of disinformation ahead of election: NY Times

With just over 40 days till the elections, China’s election interference is ramping up. A scholar says China is sending targeted propaganda videos to Taiwan voters, by using fake internet accounts, real influencers, and big data analytics. The New York Times writes that a new wave of disinformation is hitting Taiwan, testing the island’s defenses.

With the 2024 elections approaching, videos about the candidates are swirling online. For China, the internet has become the primary way to intervene in the elections.

On Nov. 27, the New York Times published a piece titled “Can Taiwan Continue to Fight Off Chinese Disinformation?” The report said that for years, China has injected “inaccurate narratives and conspiracy theories” into Taiwan’s information ecosystem, to undermine Taiwan’s democracy, divide its people, and gain control. The report warned that a new wave of disinformation was moving into Taiwan ahead of the presidential election.

Shih Wei-chu
Taiwan Statebuilding Party at-large legislative candidate
Taiwan has done pretty well in countering Chinese meddling. But the article says that the challenge is sustaining the effort. Because China’s cognitive warfare tactics are starting to change, they’re becoming more powerful. They will mix true and false information to stoke divisions among the island’s people.

Wang Hsing-huan
Taiwan Statebuilding Party chair
The threat we face from China is not just a military threat, but a comprehensive political threat that includes cognitive and information warfare. China is marshalling all of its national resources to target Taiwan in all respects, all toward the goal of annexing Taiwan. We need to be aware that this is Taiwan’s predicament.

The Taiwan Statebuilding Party warned that China’s threat went beyond military force. Think tank researcher Wu Se-chih said China was leveraging the internet to wage cognitive warfare. China is repackaging existing news content and distributing manipulated versions on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and other online platforms. An army of fake accounts, real social media influencers, and big data calculations are used to send content based on audience preferences, Wu said.

Hsu Chih-chieh
DPP lawmaker
China’s fake news has become increasingly sophisticated. This country is No. 1 in the global fraud industry, and it’s intervened in elections worldwide, targeting nations like the U.S., Australia, and Taiwan. We remind citizens to be cautious with information with an unknown source. Stop, look, and listen. Put a big question mark over it and seek verification.

As China’s election interference ramps up, the public is urged to tread carefully online.

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2023-11-28

Hsiao Bi-khim packs up in Washington, thanks TECRO team

DPP vice presidential candidate Hsiao Bi-khim has said good-bye to Taiwan’s de facto embassy in Washington. During her time in the U.S. this week, she completed the handover of her responsibilities as representative. On Tuesday, she shared a message on social media, saying it had been an honor to represent Taiwan in the U.S.

Hsiao gave a shout-out to the, quote, “incredibly diligent and dedicated team at TECRO.” She said she would miss Washington’s cherry blossoms and foliage, as well as the bipartisan friends who support Taiwan. As for who will replace Hsiao in Washington, her deputy is now serving as acting representative. The foreign ministry has yet to appoint an official successor.

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2023-11-28

Sunflower Student Movement leader Freddy Lim joins DPP

The DPP has a new member, lawmaker Freddy Lim. Lim is a former leader of the Sunflower Student Movement. He says he was inspired to join the DPP, after seeing the TPP’s Ko Wen-je support the Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement. Lim says he wants to help the DPP with its campaigning, to block the KMT and TPP from securing a legislative majority.

At a Tuesday press conference, the DPP legislative caucus protested the KMT presidential candidate’s plan to let more Chinese students study and work in Taiwan. Lawmaker Freddy Lim, who joined the DPP the day before, was present at the event. He said he had long considered joining the party and that Ko Wen-je inspired him take the leap.

Freddy Lim
Lawmaker
When Ko Wen-je proposed restarting talks on the Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement, I was shocked. I was not expecting that. I don’t think we should sign these kinds of trade agreements with China. That’s also the direction that the international community is moving in. A politician like Ko Wen-je, who got to where he is by opposing the Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement, now says he wants to resume talks. Then Hou Yu-ih follows and also says he wants to restart talks. This outdated issue is being used by dishonest Taiwanese politicians to bring together the KMT and the Taiwan People’s Party.

Lim said Ko had benefited politically from opposing the pact, and was now doing a 180.

Freddy Lim
Lawmaker
This issue has already become stale. These are policies that align with China’s interests, policies that benefit China. The KMT and TPP may not have come to an agreement on their joint ticket, but they do have similar ideologies in the Legislative Yuan. I think this is extremely dangerous. There are many friends from the Sunflower Student Movement who working hard within the DPP. I feel I should stand with them and work toward securing a legislative majority for the DPP.

Huang Kuo-chang
Former lawmaker
Everyone is free to choose their own political values. But I don’t understand why Freddy Lim would join the DPP.

Lim had founded the New Power Party with Huang Kuo-chang, who is now on the TPP’s party list. Huang criticized Lim for joining the DPP. But Lim hasn’t been the only Sunflower Student Movement leader to join.

Tseng Po-yu
DPP legislative candidate
We have similar ideas, so it was a matter of time for us to band together.

Since the days of the Sunflower movement, some of its leaders have parted ways, and a few have banded together to counter China in a different camp.

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2023-11-28

DPP campaign ad urges voters to ‘choose someone as good as you’

DPP presidential candidate Lai Ching-te has launched his latest campaign video. Its message is: Choose someone as good as you. The video hails the Taiwanese people as hardworking and kind, as it shows ordinary people going about their everyday lives. Scenes of Lai are also mixed in, to highlight his down-to-earth side. Let’s take a look.

The DPP’s latest campaign video is out. Showing scene after scene of everyday life, the ad praises the Taiwanese people as hardworking and kindhearted. Voters are urged to “choose someone as good as yourself” – to choose the DPP’s Lai Ching-te.

Yao Li-ming
Lai Ching-te’s campaign manager
The ad lets people see the very down-to-earth side of Lai Ching-te. We want voters to feel that he’s just like most Taiwanese. He’s very friendly, dedicated, and kind. He isn’t some unreachable figure. He is a candidate you can trust.

The campaign team aimed to bring Lai closer to the people. Notably, Lai’s running mate Hsiao Bi-khim was nowhere to be seen in the ad. The day before, Hsiao wrapped up her campaign events in Hualien and boarded a flight to the U.S., where she will complete her resignation and handover procedures. Lai’s campaign manager assured media that Hsiao will be featured in future videos.

Yao Li-ming
Lai Ching-te’s campaign manager
She absolutely will. But her Taiwan schedule was quite rushed this time around. As everyone knows, after she completed her events in Hualien, she headed straight back to Washington to move and collect her cats. She had no time to shoot videos or do any other campaign activities. Other arrangements will be made once she comes back.

Upon returning to Taiwan, Hsiao will push ahead with her VP campaign in partnership with Lai. In the weeks ahead, the KMT campaign is expected to target Lai and Hsiao as its primary opponent.

Tai Wei-shan
Lai Ching-te’s campaign spokesperson
Such election strategies are devoid of substance. I’ve also yet to see them put forward any policies or political views. All they do is spew rhetoric, and that will not win the people’s support.

The DPP said it was unfazed by the opposition’s campaign. It said it planned to focus on policy to earn the public’s support.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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2023-11-27

Phone stand among candidates’ popular election giveaways

With the election fast approaching, legislative candidates are looking to stand out through voter giveaways. Incumbent Rosalia Wu is handing out essential oil patches, while Taipei representative Kao Chia-yu is turning heads with a paper phone stand. Teaching how to fold it also gives Kao the opportunity to connect with voters.

For her reelection campaign, Legislator Kao Chia-yu is giving out trinkets that require a bit of special instruction.

From a piece of cardstock, she personally teaches how to fold it into a cellphone stand.

Kao Chia-yu
Taipei legislative candidate (DPP)
When I bring it out, people are always curious. I can also use teaching how to make it as a chance to interact more with voters. Everyone likes it. A lot of people will even call me to give them a refresher.

As campaigning heats up, candidates are giving away all sorts of small gifts. More than practical, giveaways provide candidates with a chance to win voter support through personal interactions.

Also seeking reelection, Legislator Rosalia Wu is giving away essential oil patches. Naturally, she helps voters put them on.

Rosalia Wu
Taipei legislative candidate (DPP)
The ladies at the market and our other neighbors are all clamoring for these patches. If you need any, come find Rosalia Wu, and she’ll even help you apply them.

Tissues and face masks are standard fare, as are fans. All except for this one.

After taking it out of a tiny bag, the fan folds out to use.

Apart from voter giveaways, some candidates are also thinking up creative appreciation gifts for their fundraisers. Candidate Wu Pei-yi created temporary tattoos featuring her beloved cat to raise awareness for pet issues and tattoo culture.

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2023-11-27

30% identify as Taiwanese only, 24.6% as ROC citizens only: poll

Turning now to the latest picture of national identity in Taiwan. In a new poll, 30% of respondents saw themselves as Taiwanese only. Another 24.6% saw themselves as R.O.C. citizens only. Another 36.7% saw themselves as both, and 6% considered themselves exclusively Chinese. The survey was conducted over the phone between Nov. 20 and 22. It was commissioned by the World United Formosans for Independence and the Taiwan National Institute Security Institute.

The survey also found a shift in public opinion regarding the status quo. In the same poll conducted last year, 42% of respondents who wanted to keep the status quo but favored independence. This year, that figure decreased by 6.2 percentage points. Meanwhile, there was a small 2.2 point increase in those who support the status quo but favor unification. Speaking on the results, the Taiwan Statebuilding Party said that Chinese pressure may be pushing the Taiwanese public toward a more conservative stance.

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2023-11-27

DPP’s Lai Ching-te and Hsiao Bi-khim stump for legislative candidates in Hualien

With the presidential election less than two months away, the DPP’s candidate Lai Ching-te and his running mate Hsiao Bi-Khim went on a campaign trip to Hualien, where Hsiao ran for legislator four years ago. Back on her home turf in front of 6,000 ardent supporters, Hsiao, now as the vice presidential candidate, choked back tears as she talked about her beloved east coast city.

Hsiao Bi-Khim
DPP vice presidential candidate
I am very touched when I see you. After three and a half years, Hualien, I am back! I took the new Ziqiang train which I fought for. Just now I passed through a dark tunnel and tested my phone. We Hualien people also need to use communication and access the internet in the tunnels. I fought hard for it back then and found that it has improved a lot, right? We can now make calls in the tunnels.”

Lai Ching-te
DPP presidential candidate
Ambassador Hsiao Bi-khim, who has been nurtured and supported by the good folks of Hualien, is called a “cat warrior” by the international community. Her gentleness and agility is in sharp contrast to the Chinese wolf warrior, who is rude and barbaric. They are poles apart. One is a symbol of democracy, and the other is a representative of totalitarianism.

Having worked both at the local level and in the international community, Hsiao Bi-khim comes with a complete resume. Lai Ching-te took the opportunity to spell out the significance behind the Lai-Hsiao ticket. With more than 40 days to go before the election, the DPP has put forth two strong leaders, striving to continue its governance.

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2023-11-26

Vice presidential candidate Hsiao Bi-Khim shares how she decided to join the Lai ticket

Taiwan’s representative to the U.S. Hsiao Bi-Khim is now the running mate of DPP presidential candidate Lai Ching-te. In a televised interview over the weekend, Hsiao revealed why she acquiesced to the challenge. As for the alleged U.S.’ mistrust of Lai who has called himself a "pragmatic worker" for Taiwanese independence, Hsiao pointed out that of all the candidates, Lai is the one who insists on continuing to follow President Tsai Ing-wen’s path of diplomacy.

In a televised interview over the weekend, Hsiao Bi-Khim related how she accepted Lai Ching-te’s invitation to be his running mate.

Hsiao Bi-Khim
DPP vice presidential candidate
I kept telling him that Taiwan has so many people with better political abilities than me, who are more eloquent than me, or even have greater ambitions than me, while I’ve reached a stage of being uninterested in fame and fortune. So I have never felt there was ever the need to consider me for this position, and I have never imagined myself in this position. But President Tsai is very caring. She is a bit like a mother. However, my running in the election means that she needs to think about who will take over the position of representative in the U.S., and she still needs to make some arrangements, but she wasn’t the key factor in my decision. There were many Taiwanese folks who tried to persuade me because they were concerned about the political atmosphere in Taiwan a few weeks ago, and our place in the international community.

While Hsiao mentioned how caring President Tsai was, her decision to accept the invitation to run had more to do with the presidential candidate himself.

Hsiao Bi-Khim
DPP vice presidential candidate
I think he is a warm-hearted doctor, and since he’s a doctor, he wants to take care of people. For example, during our discussion, he mentioned that I should come back to Taiwan to run in the election. I told him that this would make my stomach ulcer more serious, and then he said, well, I happen to be a doctor. I can help you with this. In fact, he has this warm side, but he is also insistent and serious at the same time.

While the Lai-Hsiao ticket is for the continuation of the DPP’s governance, there has been talk of the U.S. mistrusting Lai due to his pro-independence stance. Hsiao reiterated that she and Lai would stay on the path of the Tsai administration.

Hsiao Bi-Khim
DPP vice presidential candidate
I think of all the democratically elected presidents of Taiwan, the one that the U.S. has trusted the most is President Tsai Ing-wen. Among all the current candidates, the one who insists the most on continuing to follow President Tsai Ing-wen’s foreign relations path is Lai Ching-te. Americans trust Tsai Ing-wen’s path, so we will continue on the same path, continue to strengthen Taiwan, continue to connect with the international community, and continue to work very responsibly to maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. That’s something most trusted by our American friends.

From cross-strait relations to relations with the U.S., Hsiao firmly stated her ideas as Lai’s running mate, aiming for victory in January.

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2023-11-26

Joint-ticket bid collapses as KMT, TPP register separately

The drama of the KMT-TPP alliance has come to an end. Each party registered for the election separately on Friday, meaning that there won’t be a joint ticket on the ballot. The TPP’s Ko Wen-je signed up with his running mate Wu Hsin-ying, a lawmaker from his own party. KMT presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih registered with media personality Jaw Shaw-kong. Although no deal was reached on the joint ticket, Ko says he still hopes to ally with the KMT in the months ahead.

TPP presidential candidate Ko Wen-je and his running mate, lawmaker Wu Hsin-ying, registered at the Central Election Commission on Friday. Ko says Wu complements his areas of expertise.

Ko Wen-je
TPP presidential candidate
Wu Hsin-ying’s life and background are completely different from mine. She studied in the U.K. and in the U.S., and has worked in public welfare. Meanwhile, I was born and raised in Taiwan. The most complementary figure to me in our party is Wu Hsin-ying. I also wanted a younger face.

Wu Hsin-ying
TPP vice presidential candidate
When I became lawmaker last November, I said I would cram three days of work into each day. Now I have just 50 days left. So for these last 50 days, I will try to do five days of work each day, to help the TPP grow stronger.

Ko’s registration marked the official collapse of joint-ticket talks between the TPP and KMT. In a Central Standing Committee meeting on Friday, the KMT announced Broadcasting Corporation of China Chair Jaw Shaw-kong as its VP candidate.

Eric Chu
KMT chair
Hou Yu-ih and I were humiliated. We offered sincerity and got none back. We defended our integrity and got no real cooperation. As the chair of the KMT, I’m issuing a call to everyone in our party. We have to mobilize and come together to support our candidate Hou Yu-ih.

Jaw was reportedly suggested as VP candidate by the head of Hou’s campaign office, King Pu-tsung.

Hou Yu-ih
KMT presidential candidate
Actually, Shaw-kong needs no recommendation. He and I were very close already. We have a very clear vision for the country. He is straightforward, sensible, and honest. I was the one who asked him. Nobody had to suggest him to me.

Jaw Shaw-kong
KMT vice presidential candidate
I’m actually not particularly interested in being a government official. President Ma Ying-jeou once asked me to be vice premier, but I declined. He phoned me six times in one day. But the situation is different now. We’re in a desperate situation and we need to save our nation. I’ll cancel all my shows.

Despite the fate of the joint presidential ticket, Ko still says there is room for cooperation between the KMT and TPP.

Ko Wen-je
TPP presidential candidate
I believe that after the elections are done, there will be plenty of opportunities for cooperation between the legislative speaker, the deputy speaker and all the committee heads as well as the premier and members of the Cabinet. This is what it has come down to. We have the same goal, but we’re carving our own path. I think that’s how it will go. I will still abide by the principle of not attacking each other. We need to focus on beating Lai Ching-te, not each other.

The twists and turns of the KMT-TPP alliance seem to have finally reached an end. But with 50 days to go until Election Day, anything can happen.

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2023-11-24

KMT, TPP expected to court votes from each other’s support base

Taiwan’s presidential election is officially a three-way race. What’s up next for the opposition? Analysts say the KMT and TPP will try to recruit voters from each other’s support base. That is, they’ll encourage the other side to vote for their own candidate, in order to consolidate votes and prevent a DPP victory. But successful instances of such a tactic are rare. And experts say that the KMT and TPP bases are very different, making success unlikely.

Chang Yi-san
Former TPP aide
For this to work, the first condition is that the election frontrunner can’t be too far ahead. The second-place candidate and first should be within 10 percentage points. The second condition is that there needs to be a big gap between the second- and third-place candidates. We don’t yet see that big gap.

Clarence Wu
Former People First Party spokesman
Right now the people of the TPP camp and those in the KMT camp don’t have much in common, so there’s a very low chance of strategic voting working out. In reality, the two camps will only be consolidating their own voter bases. But Lai Ching-te can’t be complacent here. He can’t afford to be complacent, because any election can have an unforeseen event. Who knows what could happen in the coming two months?

In the history of Taiwan’s presidential elections, the most famous three-way race was in the year 2000. The KMT’s Lien Chan and James Soong of the People First Party both courted each other’s supporters. In the end, the DPP’s Chen Shui-bian won with 39.3% of the vote, surpassing Soong’s 36.84% and Lien’s 23.1%.

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2023-11-24