Taipei - A senior security official in Taiwan called on the island's government to lead any engagement with Beijing over a set of new measures China announced, saying formal government-to-government handling is necessary to properly assess risks and plan exchanges rather than relying on private party-to-party contacts.
China on Sunday unveiled 10 incentive measures for Taiwan that it described as easing restrictions on trade and tourism. The package includes steps such as loosening tourist curbs, permitting "healthy" television dramas, and facilitating food sales to the mainland. The announcement followed a visit to China by Taiwan's opposition leader.
Beijing has repeatedly refused to engage with the administration of President Lai Ching-te, labeling him a "separatist" and declining multiple offers of talks. Taiwan's National Security Bureau director, Tsai Ming-yen, said the principal channel for handling Beijing's proposals should be direct engagement between China and Taiwan's government.
"Only then can the government conduct proper assessments and planning and drive relevant exchanges - rather than conducting private dealings through inter-party exchanges," Tsai told reporters at parliament. He added that having the government take charge of planning "can therefore also better help avoid unnecessary risks and long-term consequences."
Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Office did not provide an immediate response when asked for comment. Tsai noted that measures framed as goodwill from China have tended to appear ahead of elections and are often targeted at particular counties, cities, companies, industries, or individuals.
"However, this has already become a tool the Chinese communists use to interfere in Taiwan’s elections," he said. Taiwan is scheduled to hold important local elections in November.
Officials in Taipei have previously raised concerns that Beijing used economic levers ahead of the last presidential election in early 2024. At that time, Taiwan accused China of deploying a range of trade actions intended to influence voters, including reviews of tariff concessions on agricultural and fishery products as well as on machinery, auto parts and textiles.
Taiwan's government rejects Beijing's territorial claims, maintaining that only the island's people can determine their future. The recent package of measures from China and the response from Taiwanese authorities underscore continuing tensions over the appropriate channels and intentions behind cross-strait engagement.
Context and implications for sectors
The measures announced by China touch on tourism, media, food sales and trade sectors including agriculture, fishery, machinery, auto parts and textiles. Domestic authorities in Taiwan argue that centralised government oversight is needed to evaluate potential economic and political impacts and to avoid unintended or targeted consequences at the local and industry level.