Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Minister Chiu Chui-cheng (邱垂正) addressed the legislature Wednesday regarding a number of China’s united front tactics, including the Straits Forum and the opening of a Chinese chain restaurant in Taiwan.
The 17th Straits Forum, which is scheduled to be held in China next month, is an annual conference between China and Taiwan that the MAC regards as a platform hosted by the CCP to advance its united front efforts against Taiwan. Chiu said that no local government officials have so far applied to attend. Should any apply in the future, he said the MAC’s approach is to remind them of the risks and attempt to persuade them otherwise.
DPP legislators also expressed their concerns about a new Chinese chain restaurant, “Shaxian Snacks,” which opened a store in Taiwan this week. Asked whether it is possible the restaurant could be used to carry out united front work, Chiu explained that the business was established lawfully. Should any illegal activities be uncovered, he said the government will investigate the matter.
As for the pro-CCP actions and opinions expressed by Taiwanese entertainers in China, Chiu said that the MAC and Culture Ministry have together formed an investigation team to focus on why artists would make such remarks in the first place. The government will decide how to proceed only after establishing an understanding of the facts.
Chiu also touched upon tariff negotiations between the United States and China in Switzerland last week. Asked whether U.S. President Donald Trump’s comments about China’s willingness to open up to American business have anything to do with Taiwan, he reiterated that Trump’s statement was only pertinent to economic and trade issues. The U.S. State Department also officially stated that the matter was irrelevant to Taiwan.