Taiwan’s presidential office says that an Anti-infiltration act passed on the last day of 2019 will take effect on Wednesday. President Tsai Ing-wen said that she has already signed the bill, which is aimed at curbing Chinese interference in Taiwan’s democracy.
Under the law, those that take directive from China in the form of funding or policy lobbying will face stiff punishment. Tsai said that the new law is not geared toward discouraging friendly relations and exchanges with China -- it is merely a safeguard against Beijing’s attempts to interfere in Taiwan’s democracy.
Tsai said that she has given her administration three major tasks to address public concern over the Anti-infiltration Act. First, the cabinet should continue informing the public about the newly enacted law. Second, the cabinet should form a task force to help the public discern what actions constitute infiltration. Lastly, the Straits Exchange Foundation should establish a consultation service that members of the public can reach out to for more information and provide feedback to. Feedback will then be compiled and sent to the Mainland Affairs Council.
Cabinet spokesperson Kolas Yotaka says that members from the Mainland Affairs Council, the foreign ministry, the justice ministry, and the interior ministry have already met and begun discussing how to proceed.