China using scare tactics to influence Taiwan elections, MAC warns

Oct 22, 2026, 12:29 PM (GMT+8)James Thompson

The Chinese Communist Party is increasingly using scare tactics to influence Taiwan's elections, targeting political opponents with “punishment and intimidation” rather than simply supporting favored candidates, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) warned Thursday, October 22.

Deputy Minister Shen Yu-chung (沈有忠) made the remarks at a forum in Taipei organized by the Association for Asian Political Economy and Peace where scholars discussed Chinese election interference ahead of Taiwan's local elections next month.

"Through this kind of punishment and intimidation of particular individuals and political parties, the CCP seeks to create a chilling effect in Taiwan, making voters afraid to openly support particular candidates or parties," Shen said.

Shen cited punitive measures announced this month by China's Taiwan Affairs Office against a business belonging to the father of Taipei mayoral candidate Puma Shen (沈伯洋) and the denial of entry to China to the brother of Taiwanese businessman and political activist Robert Tsao (曹興誠). He also said Taiwanese television host Kevin Tsai (蔡康永) was criticized by a social media account affiliated with China's People's Liberation Army after participating in Puma Shen’s election activities earlier this month.

The MAC deputy minister contrasted these measures targeting individuals associated with the DPP with the 10 economic incentives and other measures announced by China following KMT leader Cheng Li-wen's (鄭麗文) meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in April.

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