China Suppresses Lai Ching-te's Visit; Kaohsiung City Council DPP Caucus Hopes Ko Chih-en 'Won't Echo China This Time!'

The Liberty Times, a publication often critical of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and supportive of Taiwan's sovereignty, reports on alleged Chinese pressure to disrupt President Lai Ching-te's travel plans.

The article focuses on the strong condemnation issued by the Kaohsiung City Council's DPP caucus. They accuse China of employing its characteristic 'economic coercion' tactics, weaponizing trade and diplomacy to suppress Taiwan and intimidate other nations. The DPP caucus specifically calls out Kuomintang (KMT) candidate Ko Chih-en, urging her to publicly denounce China's actions and demonstrate 'backbone' as a Taiwanese citizen, rather than remaining silent or appearing to align with Beijing's stance.

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China has once again exposed its 'economic coercion' nature, instrumentalizing economy and diplomacy as means to suppress Taiwan and coerce other countries.

DPP caucus whip Chiang Jui-hung is quoted criticizing China's actions as an attempt to treat the world's airspace as its own territory, demonstrating a 'long-arm jurisdiction' ambition that disregards international order. He warns that if China can interfere with presidential travel now, it could target any aircraft it dislikes in the future. This framing emphasizes the perceived threat to global navigation and Taiwan's sovereignty.

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China's actions are not just pressure on Taiwan, but a trampling of the international community.

Chen Ming-tse, deputy whip, criticizes the KMT's historical tendency to 'beautify' CCP united front tactics, noting Ko Chih-en's past positive remarks on China's '10 measures to benefit Taiwan.' He argues that China's actions prove economic overtures are merely tools for political control. Lin Chih-hung, the secretary-general, further criticizes Ko for allegedly misinterpreting diplomatic gestures during a legislative session, only for President Lai's travel to be subsequently targeted by China, thus 'slapping her in the face.'

From a Taiwanese perspective, this coverage highlights the ongoing tension between Taiwan and mainland China, particularly concerning Taiwan's international space and sovereignty. The article reflects a strong nationalist sentiment, portraying China's actions as aggressive and a violation of international norms. The criticism directed at Ko Chih-en underscores the deep political divisions within Taiwan regarding cross-strait relations, with the DPP positioning itself as the staunch defender of Taiwan's dignity against Chinese pressure, while questioning the KMT's resolve.

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We hope Ko Chih-en can be a Taiwanese person with backbone who dares to break the silence against China, 'don't echo China this time'.