TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Presidential Office Spokesperson Karen Kuo (郭雅慧) on Sunday responded to concerns of Chinese interference in party elections.

Taiwan is a pluralistic democracy, Kuo said in a statement. She hoped that all political party leaders would protect national interests and security and lead their parties to make Taiwan better, “based on a shared understanding of facts.” 

KMT Chair Eric Chu (朱立倫) said last week that national security transcends party lines. He said the KMT places the utmost importance on national security.

He said safeguarding Taiwan was a shared responsibility and that any security–related bills or budgets beneficial to the country would receive the party’s full support, regardless of one's political standpoint.

Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文) will take over as party chair next month, after winning the party election on Saturday. During her campaign, Cheng was considered the most pro-Chinese candidate and pledged to make every Taiwanese “proud to call themselves Chinese.” 

Taiwan’s National Security Bureau said it will launch an election security project to combat potential Chinese interference in the 2026 local nine-in-one elections, according to NSB Deputy Director Hsu Hsi-hsiang (徐錫祥).

Hsu said common Chinese interference tactics include secret overseas funding transfers, Chinese organizations supporting domestic collaborators with money or resources, and shaping political views by bringing Taiwanese to China on hospitality tours.

In December 2023, less than a month before the 2024 presidential election, Taiwanese prosecutors reported 115 cases involving 144 people connected to foreign influence operations.

The bureau said it will conduct local risk assessments in advance to detect abnormal activities and ensure the elections proceed smoothly. It will also expand intelligence collection on China, cooperate with allies, and improve intelligence to provide better insights that strengthen Taiwan’s national security decision-making.