TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Minister Chiu Chui-cheng (邱垂正) detailed the government’s strategies for countering China’s United Front tactics, which aim to spread pro-Chinese Communist Party (CCP) narratives and influence Taiwan.

Speaking to CNA on Friday, Chiu said the MAC has raised travel alerts for China and denied high-ranking Chinese officials' applications to visit Taiwan. These countermeasures followed new legal guidelines and punitive models released by China’s Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) targeting Taiwanese independence activists after the election of President Lai Ching-te (賴清德).

Chiu also highlighted the MAC’s efforts to counter Chinese threats by exchanging information with like-minded democratic countries. He added that the MAC provides Taiwan's overseas offices with weekly political reports to strengthen their understanding of the government’s engagement with China.

The minister noted that cross-strait tourism has shown no improvement, attributing this to China’s unwillingness to lift its ban on independent and group travel to Taiwan. While some Chinese officials have supported easing restrictions, they have insisted on several preconditions, Chiu said.

Critics have voiced concerns that the government’s countermeasures could lead to McCarthyism in Taiwan. McCarthyism, which pervaded the US in the 1940s and 1950s, fostered a climate of fear and paranoia, at times resulting in false accusations of communism.

Chiu dismissed these concerns, asserting that the MAC acts in Taiwan’s best interests and would not harm its citizens. While a complete ban on suspected United Front activities would be the quickest solution, Chiu said the ministry opposes such measures as they would conflict with the principles of freedom and democracy.

Instead, the MAC focuses on educating the public to recognize United Front tactics. It is also advocating for the passage of the Anti-Infiltration Act and other legislation aimed at protecting Taiwan’s society.