Opposition movements in China escalate as Taiwan prepares for widespread parliamentary recall vote
In a significant development, Chinese officials and state media have thrown their weight behind opposition lawmakers in Taiwan's recall vote, aiming to influence Taiwan's political balance and potentially alter the country's legislative control [1][2].
The recall effort, initiated by civic groups, targets 24 lawmakers from Taiwan's largest opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT). The vote, scheduled for Saturday, could remove as many as 31 opposition lawmakers, potentially flipping the legislative majority back to President Lai Ching-te's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), marking a major shift in parliamentary power [1].
This support from China comes amid heightened cross-strait tensions. While President Lai has offered talks with Beijing repeatedly, these have been rebuffed, and China appears to see the recall as an opportunity to weaken Taiwanβs ruling party by strengthening the opposition that is more favorable or less antagonistic toward Beijing [2].
The KMT, the main opposition party, has accused President Lai of incompetence and stoking tensions with China. They hope that people will turn out to express their dissatisfaction with the current government, which they label as a "dictatorship" and "green terror" [3].
However, the KMT denies any association with China, maintaining that their China engagement is necessary due to Beijing's refusal to talk to President Lai and to advocate for Taiwan's interests, such as promoting agricultural exports [4].
Chinese state media outlets have published 425 articles or videos describing the recall campaign as "dictatorship" or "green terror" in the first half of 2025 [5]. China's Taiwan Affairs Office did not respond to a request for comment regarding the recall campaign [6].
China's Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson, Zhu Fenglian, has accused Lai of engaging in dictatorship under the guise of democracy and using every means possible to suppress the opposition [7]. Taiwanese tycoon Robert Tsao, a prominent recall campaigner, believes that China's criticism of the recall campaign supports their cause, implying that the KMT is aligned with the communist party [8].
On the other hand, the KMT party spokesperson, Crystal Yang, emphasizes that the recall campaign is a domestic matter between the DPP and the KMT [9]. Wu Szu-yao, secretary general of the DPP's legislative caucus, stated that Beijing is "offering ammunition" to the KMT to sway voters [10].
Tony Lin, chair of the KMT's Culture and Communication Committee, claims that the accusations of being pro-Beijing are unfair and that the KMT is pro-communication [11]. Huang Kwei-bo, a professor of diplomacy at Taipei's National Chengchi University and a former KMT deputy secretary general, stated that the DPP uses its propaganda network to create fear about China in Taiwan society [12].
This recall campaign is seen as a significant event that could reshape Taiwan's parliament, with potential implications for cross-strait relations. The People's Daily, China's ruling Communist Party's official publication, accused President Lai of "presumptuously abusing the recall system to crack down on the opposition party" [2].
- The escalating war-and-conflicts between China and Taiwan continues, with Chinese officials and state media supporting Taiwan's opposition lawmakers in a recall vote, aiming to influence Taiwan's political balance and potentially alter the country's legislative control.
- In the realm of casino-and-gambling, Chinese state media outlets have published numerous articles or videos labeling Taiwan's recall campaign as "dictatorship" or "green terror," possibly reflecting a shift in policy-and-legislation and politics.
- The general-news outlets are abuzz with coverage of the recall campaign and associated crime-and-justice issues, as Chinese authorities are accused of offering ammunition to the opposition party, potentially influencing casino-culture and public sentiment towards Taiwan's ruling party.
