Taiwan President Tells Party to Oppose Beijing's 'Red Terror'

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te told members of his Democratic Progressive Party on Sunday that the island must protect its democracy and never allow itself to become part of China. Speaking at the party's annual convention in Taipei, Lai called on members to oppose what he described as the "red terror" coming from Beijing.

He said Taiwan must remain vigilant in times of peace and pointed to China's "legal warfare," including its new ethnic unity law that gives Beijing a basis to act against people outside its borders.

The law has alarmed Taiwan because it could provide another legal basis for Beijing to prosecute or arrest Taiwanese it views as separatists. China's legal system has no jurisdiction in Taiwan, and Beijing has rejected all criticism of the measure. "I also expect comrades within the party to stand on the front lines, unite as one, and jointly oppose the threat posed by China's 'red terror' to Taiwanese society," Lai said.

He delivered the remarks in Taiwanese rather than Mandarin. Lai reiterated that Taiwan is already an independent country whose constitutional name is the Republic of China and is not subordinate to the People's Republic of China. "We must work together to protect our democratic and free way of life, and absolutely never allow 'democratic Taiwan' to turn back and become 'China's Taiwan,'" he said.

"Regardless of ethnic group, regardless of who came earlier or later, anyone who identifies with Taiwan is a master of the country. Taiwan's future must be decided jointly by the 23 million people of Taiwan," he added. Lai won Taiwan's presidential election two years ago.

He and the DPP champion the island's separate identity from China, a position Beijing rejects because it views Taiwan as an inviolable part of its territory. China has rebuffed Lai's repeated calls for talks and labels him a separatist. China's Taiwan Affairs Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.