National Security Council addresses China's escalating threats and attempts to interfere in Taiwan elections
The National Security Council's (NSC) "Task Force to Respond to New Developments in Cross-Strait Relations" convened at 3 p.m. on September 23, chaired by NSC Secretary-General David. T. Lee (李大維). Attendees included Foreign Minister Joseph Wu (吳釗燮), Mainland Affairs Council Minister Chen Ming-tong (陳明通), National Defense Vice Minister Chang Che-ping (張哲平), National Security Bureau Deputy Director General Ko Cheng-heng (柯承亨), NSC Advisor Fu Don-cheng (傅棟成) and Deputy Secretary-General Tsai Ming-yen (蔡明彥).
The meeting was convened to present reports and conduct discussions regarding recent changes in cross-strait relations and China's possible policy directions regarding Taiwan before the end of this year. The NSC also submitted its task force report, a Comprehensive Analysis: China's Escalation of Threats Against Taiwan and Interference in Taiwan Elections. The report noted that China has recently subjected Taiwan to wave after wave of suppression and intimidation including conducting constant military exercises aimed at Taiwan; temporarily suspending permits for individual tourists and large-scale reduction of tourist groups permitted to travel to Taiwan; boycotting the Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival and Awards; and offering monetary inducements to convince Solomon Islands and Kiribati to cut diplomatic ties. It is thus clear that China will utilize any and all means to interfere with Taiwan's presidential and legislative elections scheduled for January 2020.
The meeting assessed why China is escalating its threats against Taiwan, and its strategies and various acts designed to interfere in Taiwan's elections. Table-top exercises were also conducted to address possible scenarios and responses to Beijing's activities prior to the end of the year against Taiwan. The chair, NSC Secretary-General Lee, then compiled the meeting conclusions and submitted them to President Tsai Ing-wen.
The task force meeting also decided to provide the news media with a summary of the Comprehensive Analysis: China's Escalation of Threats Against Taiwan and Interference in Taiwan Elections report to give the public full and accurate information, and avoid being influenced or misled by the Chinese authorities or other interested parties.
Comprehensive Analysis_China's Escalation of Threats Against Taiwan and Interference in Taiwan Elections (Summary)
Chair Conclusions