Taiwanese Senior Anchor: The CCP's Influence on Taiwan Extends Beyond Military Aspects

On July 10, 2026, Taiwan's senior news anchor Zhang Yaqin (left) was invited by Song Mingli, the president of the National Association of Taiwanese Americans, to embark on a series of cross-city speeches in the United States addressing the cross-strait situation. (Xu Manyuan / The Dajiyuan)

[People News] The "National Unity and Progress Promotion Law," which the CCP officially implemented on July 1, 2026, was initially designed to expand united front efforts, carry out "cross-border suppression," and exercise "long-arm jurisdiction." However, rather than achieving the deterrent and integration effects that Beijing had hoped for, its introduction has instead served as a crucial reference for Taiwanese society and international democratic allies to understand the CCP's "offensive legal warfare."

As reported by The Dajiyuan, Zhang Yaqin recently began a series of cross-city speeches in the United States at the invitation of Song Mingli, the president of the National Association of Taiwanese Americans, and participated in the "2026 Western U.S. Taiwanese-American Summer Conference" held in San Diego from July 10 to 12. During the conference, she remarked that the CCP has been increasingly active in its legal warfare against Taiwan, seeking to normalize its deterrence and jurisdiction. The laws enacted by the CCP, including the "National Unity and Progress Promotion Law," all reflect elements of "long-arm jurisdiction," aiming to suppress global pro-Taiwan sentiments. Such ambiguous political definitions could potentially create a cross-border chilling effect, thereby intensifying pressure on Taiwan.

Zhang Yaqin revealed that one of the primary purposes of accepting the invitation to speak was to build a more direct connection with overseas audiences. She said she was deeply moved to see that Taiwanese expatriates continue to care deeply about Taiwan and remain concerned about its future. During her speech at the summer convention, Chang shared her perspective as a media professional on Taiwan's current situation, covering topics including developments in the Taipei mayoral race, the attack on journalist Akio Yaita, and the potential impact on Taiwan of the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) recent Taiwan-related legislation, such as the Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Law.

The CCP Says One Thing but Does Another, Applying Multi-Level Pressure on Taiwan

Discussing cross-strait relations, Chang observed that there is a clear "perception gap" between Taiwanese at home and abroad regarding the CCP's military pressure. She noted that overseas Taiwanese often become highly alarmed when they see reports of Chinese military aircraft operating around Taiwan, whereas many people in Taiwan, having lived with similar situations for years, tend to react more calmly.

Chang stated that while Chinese military aircraft circling Taiwan are indeed one form of pressure exerted by the CCP, they do not necessarily mean that Taiwan is on the brink of war. In her view, what deserves greater attention is that the CCP's influence on Taiwan extends beyond the military sphere to include legal, political, and social dimensions.

Using the CCP's Taiwan-related legislation as an example, she pointed out that Beijing's strategy is often characterized by "saying one thing while doing another." She argued that Taiwanese society needs to remain vigilant and understand the long-term implications these measures may carry.

Chang specifically cited the case of journalist Akio Yaita, who was injured after being attacked following a speech in Taichung. She said the incident demonstrated that the CCP's pressure on Taiwan has expanded beyond the military domain and now permeates political, legal, and social spheres. After police later arrested the suspect, the case once again sparked widespread concern over political violence, freedom of speech, and cross-border operations allegedly involving foreign influence.

Pro-CCP Remarks by Some Politicians Spark Internal Party Debate

Addressing Taiwan's party politics, Chang said that after years of observing Taiwan's political development, she has noticed a shift in how some politicians approach cross-strait issues. In the past, politicians accused of being "pro-CCP" would often rush to deny the allegation to avoid being labeled as "pro-China." Today, however, some political figures no longer appear hesitant to make such remarks openly.

Chang believes that these increasingly pro-Beijing political positions may trigger broader debate within Taiwanese society as well as within the Kuomintang (KMT) over differing approaches to cross-strait relations. She said future adjustments and internal disagreements over the party's China policy will be worth watching.

Revealing the CCP's Core Intentions

In the past, the CCP's Anti-Secession Law primarily drew a "red line" on sovereignty and functioned as a defensive form of deterrence. However, the Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Law, which took effect on July 1 this year, explicitly stipulates in its legal provisions—including Article 21—that it aims to "promote cross-strait exchanges and strengthen Taiwanese compatriots' sense of belonging to and identification with the Chinese nation."

This immediately drew widespread attention across Taiwan. Both the public and the government quickly recognized that what Beijing had long portrayed as "people-to-people exchanges," "youth exchange programs," and "religious and cultural interactions" had now been legally redefined as a political project aimed at compelling ideological identification. In effect, Beijing is signaling to Taiwanese society that when people travel to mainland China for exchanges, they are no longer simply guests but are regarded as "prospective nationals" under its legal jurisdiction.

The provision that has attracted the greatest international attention is Article 63, which states that "overseas organizations and individuals" who engage in acts deemed to undermine ethnic unity or promote separatism may be held legally accountable.

The law's jurisdiction extends without clear geographic limits. Its purpose is seen as discouraging people overseas from criticizing the CCP or supporting democracy, while seeking to curtail Taiwanese voices on the international stage.

However, this attempt to claim authority over speech by foreign nationals outside China's borders has instead prompted democratic countries—including Taiwan, Japan, and members of the European Union—to strengthen their defensive measures. Observers believe that the CCP's "red terror" is no longer confined to issues across the Taiwan Strait but is reaching into every corner of the world, potentially targeting anyone who opposes Beijing's goal of unifying Taiwan or criticizes the CCP.

Japanese journalist and Executive Director of the Indo-Pacific Strategic Think Tank, Akio Yaita (formerly transliterated as Ishibashi Akio), was punched by a Chinese national holding a Hong Kong passport in Taichung, Taiwan, in early July. Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council warned that the case may represent the first alleged instance of "transnational repression" following the implementation of the Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Law, raising widespread concerns over the CCP's expanding extraterritorial reach.

Taiwan Reaches Consensus on Guarding Against the CCP's "Legal Infiltration"

The Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Law extends the CCP's claimed jurisdiction beyond its borders, generating significant concern throughout Taiwan.

According to reports by Taiwanese media, the Office of the President of the Republic of China (Taiwan) strongly condemned the law as an attempt to advance the CCP's united front strategy and assimilate Taiwan. It also warned citizens traveling to China to exercise heightened caution regarding their personal safety.

Taiwan's Executive Yuan established an interagency coordination platform to closely monitor and guard against the CCP's efforts at transnational repression and restrictions on freedom of expression. The Presidential Office and the Mainland Affairs Council also advised that, because the law contains vague definitions and punitive provisions, Taiwanese traveling to China for tourism, business, or study should remain particularly vigilant.

Taiwanese authorities subsequently strengthened their response strategy by focusing on three areas: prevention, protection, and countermeasures. They also expanded real-time early warning systems and cross-border security cooperation with like-minded partners, including the European Union, the United States, and Japan. Contrary to Beijing's expectations, the law's implementation has instead provided Taiwan with stronger legal and diplomatic grounds for countering united front activities and transnational repression.

The CCP sought to use legal warfare to isolate Taiwan, but instead has pushed Taiwan and the international community into closer cooperation on combating transnational repression. Rather than intimidating the Taiwanese people, the law has strengthened Taiwan's societal consensus on guarding against "legal infiltration" and reinforced public awareness and determination to address the challenge. △