Taiwan Warns Subsidized Xinjiang Trips May Be Part of Beijing Influence Campaign
Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council is warning that subsidized trips to China's Xinjiang region for Taiwanese teachers could be part of Beijing's united front influence campaign.
United Front Campaign: Taiwan Flags Influence Efforts
REPORTER:
A trip to Xinjiang for Taiwanese teachers could be Beijing's latest attempt to expand its influence networks in Taiwan, according to a warning from the Mainland Affairs Council, Taiwan’s top government agency overseeing cross-strait issues.
Shen Yu-chung (DEPUTY MINISTER, MAINLAND AFFAIRS COUNCIL):
If some teachers in Taiwan's schools become part of a united front network it will make it much easier for [China] to reach more young people in the future through these channels.
REPORTER:
The trip was advertised on the website of a Taiwan-based youth exchange organization. Participants would only need to pay for airfare and a registration fee of about $125 US dollars to join the eight-day visit to Xinjiang in August.
The itinerary includes visits to local schools, museums, businesses and cultural sites. It's being offered to 25 teachers under the age of 45 with a strong interest in ecology, local development, and China’s ethnic minority groups.
At the time of reporting, registration has been closed. But several other cross-strait tours targeting Taiwanese young students can still be found on the website.
REPORTER:
The Mainland Affairs Council said China may be targeting young teachers because they are more impressionable and may be less able to identify propaganda. Last week, Chinese state television aired footage promoting Taiwanese young people participating in similar annual summer exchanges in Xinjiang.
Lawmakers from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party urge people to stay vigilant.
Chung Chia-pin (DPP CAUCUS LEADER):
We urge people not to be tempted by temporary bargains. If they end up unable to return [from China] the losses could be significant.
REPORTER:
The trip comes only weeks after Beijing implemented a sweeping new ethnic unity law. Some fear the law could be used to crack down on dissent both within China and beyond its borders.
While some opposition lawmakers caution against viewing everyone as a potential target of infiltration, the government here is asking people to remain aware of the risks associated with travel to China.
