In the final week leading up to Taiwan’s presidential election, China is using a combination of “economic cards” to put pressure on the island. The measures include supporting the Fujian Pilot Free Trade Zone and considering further tariffs on certain products. The Mainland Affairs Council of Taiwan’s Executive Yuan has expressed strong opposition to these moves, warning Beijing not to underestimate the Taiwanese people’s wisdom.
Experts are stating that Beijing is using both soft and hard tactics to sway voters’ decision-making in the upcoming election. This approach is said to be broader and deeper compared to previous elections.
In response, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense has reported detecting mainland sounding balloons crossing the central line of the Taiwan Strait. There have also been reports of mainland official ships sailing close to Taiwanese waters, and a satellite launched that flew over southern Taiwan.
The U.S. State Department has urged Beijing to stop pressing Taiwan militarily, diplomatically, and economically, stating that those actions are against peace and stability goals.
Luo Minghui, an assistant professor at Nanyang Technological University, believes that the mainland’s recent measures are unlikely to significantly influence the outcome of the presidential election, as most voters have likely already made their decisions. Wang Zhisheng, the former secretary-general of the Taiwan Chinese Asia-Pacific Elite Exchange Association, has concluded that China’s actions are more encompassing and sophisticated compared to previous elections.