Taiwan Warns China Over Exclusion Of Government In Dialogue With Opposition

Taipei’s top official in charge of China affairs, Chiu Chui-cheng, criticized Beijing for engaging only with opposition politicians and excluding Taiwan’s democratically elected government from dialogue. In an exclusive interview with the Nikkei newspaper, Chiu expressed that Taiwan’s government “will not tolerate” Beijing’s approach of sidelining President Lai Ching-te’s administration. Chiu emphasized that Taiwan’s primary concern was the personal safety of its citizens in mainland China.

He also accused Beijing of painting Taiwan’s government as “provocative and unreasonable,” as it asserts Taiwan is an integral part of China. The remarks by Chiu reflect growing tensions between the two regions: Beijing’s unwillingness to converse with Taiwan’s elected leadership.

In the face of these tensions, Taiwan has escalated its vigilance and scrutiny over ships under flags of convenience, especially following a cargo vessel allegedly linked to China was said to have caused damage to an undersea communications cable. The Taiwanese government announced that it would enhance its monitoring and boarding of such vessels as part of its security strategy in the pursuit of safeguarding national security and keeping its waters under control.