Richard Sanders, Taipei
In a significant move to safeguard Taiwan’s democracy, Democratic Progressive Party legislators Wang Ting-yu and Wang Yi-chuan have put forth amendments to the Anti-Infiltration Act aimed at preventing the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) from infiltrating Taiwanese society through “united front” propaganda masquerading as free speech.
The proposed changes to Article 5 of the act would make it illegal for individuals to accept directives, commissions, or funding from infiltration sources to engage in activities that support CCP propaganda efforts. Violators of this provision would face fines ranging from NT$100,000 to NT$500,000 (approximately US$3,184 to US$15,919), with associated materials subject to confiscation.
Additionally, the draft seeks to penalize those who publicly display flags or symbols representing foreign hostile forces. Fines for such actions would range from NT$50,000 to NT$300,000, with related items also subject to seizure. However, these measures would not apply to authorized conferences or activities aligned with international treaties.
The legislators expressed concerns over how China manipulates local collaborators to blur the lines between legitimate political expression and activities that undermine Taiwan’s democracy. They noted the ongoing debate about whether these expressions should be protected under free speech provisions, arguing that local collaborators have effectively become instruments of China’s agenda, eroding Taiwan’s democratic framework.
Wang Ting-yu emphasized the escalation of cognitive warfare tactics employed by Beijing, including the establishment of a “central kitchen” to disseminate targeted political content through online trolls. He criticized the CCP for exploiting Taiwan’s freedoms to advance its agenda, asserting that the proposed amendments do not aim to restrict personal expression but to differentiate legitimate speech from propaganda funded by the CCP.
Furthermore, the legislators introduced amendments to the Lobbying Act, aiming to ban lobbying efforts from individuals associated with China, Hong Kong, or Macau. This proposal seeks to impose hefty fines of up to NT$5 million for breaches, targeting both lobbyists and those who knowingly facilitate such interactions.
Current regulations restrict lobbying in matters of national security from foreign entities, but without effective penalties, the lawmakers argue, the laws remain ineffective. The new draft would impose fines ranging from NT$500,000 to NT$2.5 million for violations, thereby enhancing the enforcement of lobbying regulations.
The amendments to both acts have been submitted to a legislative committee for review as Taiwan continues to grapple with the implications of external influences on its sovereignty and democratic processes.
