Taiwan government should lead engagement with China on new measures, senior official says

TAIPEI — Taiwan’s engagement with China over Beijing’s proposed easing of trade and tourism restrictions should be led by the government rather than through private party-to-party contacts, a senior Taiwanese security official said on Monday.

China on Sunday announced 10 new incentive measures for Taiwan, including relaxed tourist restrictions, approval for certain “healthy” television dramas, and easier access for Taiwanese food exports. The measures followed a visit to Beijing by the island’s opposition leadership.

However, China continues to refuse formal dialogue with the administration of President Lai Ching-te, whom it labels a “separatist,” and has rejected repeated offers for talks.

Tsai Ming-yen, head of Taiwan’s National Security Bureau, said government leadership is essential in managing cross-strait exchanges.

“Having the government take charge of the relevant planning can therefore also better help avoid unnecessary risks and long-term consequences,” Tsai told reporters at parliament.

China’s Taiwan Affairs Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Kuomintang (KMT), Taiwan’s largest opposition party, whose leader Cheng Li-wun met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing last week, has welcomed the new measures. The party said the initiatives could help ease tensions and create economic opportunities.

Hou Yu-ih, the KMT’s 2024 presidential candidate and mayor of New Taipei City, said exchanges between both sides should be based on equality, dignity, and mutual respect, beginning with less politically sensitive areas such as culture.

“I believe that the leaders on both sides of the strait must take the responsibility of avoiding war. Peace is the ultimate goal,” Hou said. “Engagement is about communication and minimizing conflict as much as possible.”

Taiwan’s Year-End Elections

Tsai warned that such goodwill measures from China have historically been introduced ahead of elections and often targeted specific regions, industries, or groups.

“However, this has already become a tool the Chinese communists use to interfere in Taiwan’s elections,” he said.

Taiwan is scheduled to hold key local elections in November.

Ahead of the 2024 presidential election, Taipei accused Beijing of using a series of trade-related actions to influence voters, including reviews of tariff concessions on agricultural and fishery products, machinery, auto parts, and textiles.

Taiwan’s government continues to reject China’s territorial claims, maintaining that only the island’s 23 million people can decide their future. -Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Kate Mayberry and Edwina Gibbs/Reuters