President William Lai of Taiwan has issued a sharp rebuke of China’s recent legislative move, the Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress, vowing that Taiwan will not succumb to what he termed “red terror” or any overreach from Beijing. Addressing the Democratic Progressive Party’s Central Executive Committee, Lai characterized the new law as a further expansion of China’s authoritarian grip, with implications that could reach far beyond its own borders. He assured that Taiwan would bolster its defenses to protect its citizens and national interests from China’s intensifying political influence.

The law, which China’s National People’s Congress passed in March and has just come into effect, mandates that Chinese citizens support national unification. It also grants authorities the power to hold individuals or entities legally accountable for activities deemed detrimental to ethnic unity or for encouraging ethnic division. However, the law’s ambiguity has sparked concern in Taiwan, where critics argue that it is designed to assert that Taiwanese people are part of a larger Chinese identity.

Lai expressed apprehension that this legislation could serve as a pretext for cross-border enforcement actions, thereby heightening pressure on individuals and organizations outside of China, including Taiwan. Highlighting over 110 instances of cross-border pressure exerted by Beijing on Taiwan, he warned that such actions could proliferate. He cautioned that the law’s broad provisions could also inadvertently impact foreign governments, businesses, legislators, civil society organizations, and private individuals, potentially leading to arbitrary legal actions.

In response to these emerging challenges, Taiwan’s government intends to enhance its monitoring and early warning systems, alongside reviewing additional policies to shield its citizens from external meddling. Lai announced initiatives to broaden media literacy, improve civil servant training, and develop robust prevention and response strategies to counteract what he described as Beijing’s intensifying cross-border repression efforts. Moreover, Taiwan plans to maintain collaboration with democratic allies to elevate global awareness regarding human rights issues and uphold its sovereignty.

The Taiwanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs echoed President Lai’s concerns, labeling the law as yet another attempt by Beijing to unlawfully extend its jurisdiction beyond its own borders in ways that contravene international standards and human rights. The ministry warned that the law’s vague language could lead to self-censorship and create an atmosphere of uncertainty among those wary of retaliation. International criticism has also been vocal, with the United States, Japan, the European Union, the United Nations, and Amnesty International expressing apprehension about the law’s potential impact on human rights, legal certainty, and freedom of expression.