TAIPEI, Taiwan—After widespread media reports of Beijing’s meddling in Taiwan’s recent elections, U.S. House of Representatives member Ted S. Yoho (R-FL) called attention to China’s interference in a statement posted Nov. 27 on his official website.
“I’m concerned by the widespread allegations that Beijing attempted to interfere in Taiwan’s local elections this weekend. The Chinese Communist Party’s reprehensible campaign to marginalize Taiwan is no secret. Taiwan’s vibrant democracy and upstanding international conduct are qualities the Communist Party should aspire to, rather than undermine,” he wrote.
Taiwanese media have documented a wide range of tactics deployed by Beijing in attempts to influence the election, with the ultimate goal of having candidates with a pro-Beijing platform win.
They include spreading fake news on Taiwanese social media, funding pro-Beijing candidates’ campaigns, and deploying an army of Chinese netizens to make online comments favorable to Beijing.
Congressman Yoho also commented on the Taiwan Travel Act, a U.S. law signed by the President Donald Trump in March 2018, which calls for more high-level diplomatic exchanges between the two nations.
