TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Mainland Affairs Council on Sunday said China’s lack of democratic experience disqualifies it from commenting on Taiwan’s recall vote.
Recall attempts targeting 24 Kuomintang lawmakers and embattled Hsinchu Mayor Kao Hung-an (高虹安) all failed to pass on Saturday, per CNA. In response, Taiwan Affairs Office Spokesperson Chen Binhua (陳斌華) called the recall efforts “political manipulation that runs against the will of the people.”
Chen accused the Democratic Progressive Party of suppressing dissent, creating a “green terror,” and deepening social divisions. He claimed the recall votes exposed the DPP’s “fake democracy and real authoritarianism.”
The MAC countered that the recall vote was a legitimate exercise of Taiwan’s constitutional democracy and a meaningful achievement of civil society. It said the outcome should be respected and protected by all political groups.
It added that results were determined by the structure of each electoral district and the performance of individual lawmakers. “Beijing’s authorities lack democratic experience and therefore have no right to comment on or misinterpret Taiwan’s democratic system,” the council said.
The MAC emphasized that “the government's policy of defending national sovereignty, safeguarding Taiwan’s free and democratic way of life, and rejecting the Chinese Communist Party’s united front infiltration and coercion remains unchanged.” It said the stance reflects mainstream public opinion in Taiwan and warned Beijing not to exploit the recall vote for political manipulation.
Leo Chang (張宏林), executive director of Citizen Congress Watch, also criticized China on Monday, calling it “the most authoritarian regime in the world.” He noted that Chinese leader Xi Jinping amended the constitution to abolish term limits, effectively making himself “emperor for life.”
“It’s absurd for the CCP to worry that Taiwan might become a ‘one-party dictatorship’ or ‘authoritarian state,’” said Chang. “If the Taiwan Affairs Office is so concerned about recall votes, perhaps it should introduce the system in China and let the people vote to recall Xi Jinping.”
