Taiwanese party's 'unification' letter sparks government criticism

Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) has urged political groups to avoid becoming propaganda tools for Beijing after a pro-independence party sent an open letter to Chinese leader Xi Jinping suggesting it might consider unification under specific conditions. The MAC's stance comes after the "New Power Party" (喜樂島聯盟) published the letter on its website.

MAC Minister Chiu Tai-san criticized the move, stating that neither pro-independence nor pro-unification groups should harbor unrealistic fantasies about China. He emphasized that Taiwan is a free and democratic society, contrasting it with China's authoritarian rule where freedoms of speech and assembly are suppressed. Chiu pointed to the situation in Hong Kong as evidence of Beijing's broken promises.

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Taiwanese parties and groups or individuals should recognize the nature of the CCP regime and its ambition to annex Taiwan, and should not have unrealistic fantasies.

The letter, reportedly signed by party chairwoman Hsiao Hsiao-ling, sparked internal dissent. The party's founder, Reverend Law Chung-kwai, and former chairman, Frederick Fung, issued a statement on May 26 clarifying that the letter's content does not reflect the New Power Party's official position. They reiterated that the party's founding principle is the independent sovereignty of Taiwan, with no room for compromise.

Chiu further warned that the Chinese Communist Party is adept at infiltration and division, using exchanges to sow discord and manipulate political dynamics. He advised all Taiwanese parties and individuals to recognize the nature of the CCP and its ambition to annex Taiwan, urging them to maintain a consistent understanding of the authoritarian regime's essence and avoid any illusions.

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The founding cornerstone is the independent sovereignty of Taiwan, absolutely no compromise.