The Legislature on Friday held its first cross-party negotiations to discuss an anti-infiltration bill pushed through by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). The DPP called for opposition parties to hold rational discussion on the matter.
DPP spokesperson Lee Yen-jong said that the bill is not aimed at students or Taiwanese businesses residing in China. She said the bill seeks to target criminal acts, and deter individuals from taking instructions from China. Lee said the bill’s intention is to criminalize political donations, unruly demonstrations, and misinformation campaigns that seek to undermine Taiwan’s democracy. She said that normal and fair cross-strait exchanges will not be affected under the bill.
Meanwhile, President Tsai Ing-wen’s campaign spokesperson Ruan Jhao-syong said that incumbent legislators should not oppose the anti-infiltration bill. He said that they should express their determination to safeguard national security by supporting such a bill.