Democracy vs Dictatorship: Taiwan Warns of Xi Jinping's Power Grip
Taiwan's MAC highlights the stark contrast between its democracy and China's authoritarian rule as Xi Jinping consolidates power.
Taiwan has issued a stark reminder of the fundamental political divide separating it from mainland China, warning that the growing consolidation of power by Chinese President Xi Jinping further alienates the two sides. Shen Yu-chung, the Deputy Minister of Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), emphasized that the contrast between China’s authoritarianism and Taiwan’s democratic institutions is the core issue in cross-strait relations, outweighing any shared culture, language, or ethnicity.
The Shadow of the Fifth Plenum
Speaking at a forum hosted by the Secure Taiwan Associate Corporation, Shen analyzed the recent fifth plenum of the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) 20th Central Committee. The gathering, centered on "unswerving promotion of the full and rigorous party self-governance," is viewed by Taipei as a strategic move by Xi Jinping to solidify his authority before the 21st CCP National Congress next year.
According to the MAC's assessment, there are four critical takeaways from the plenum that signal a tightening grip on power:
- The Rise of 'Xi Jinping Thought': The establishment of "Xi Jinping Thought on Party Building" as a guiding principle reinforces the President's dominance. Shen noted the expulsion of 33 officials, including high-ranking military figures Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli, as a warning that any deviation from Xi's directives leads to purges.
- Preserving One-Party Rule: The push for strict party governance is seen not as a reform, but as a means to ensure the CCP's long-term dictatorship. In this system, obedience to the party takes precedence over constitutional development and the protection of individual rights.
- Rejection of External Oversight: The party's "self-revolution" is interpreted as a way to shut out the public, media, and civil society. Shen highlighted reports of students from over 10 Chinese universities petitioning against indefinite presidential terms, warning that such dissent could be met with intensified surveillance and legal crackdowns.
- Clearing the Path for a Fourth Term: Large-scale purges within the military and government have effectively removed obstacles for Xi to secure a fourth term. Notably, the absence of Central Committee members at the plenum reached levels not seen since the era of Mao Zedong.
A Tale of Two Systems
To illustrate the divide, Shen pointed to the vibrant and open mayoral debates currently taking place in Taipei and Kaohsiung. He argued that such public political discourse, where candidates challenge one another openly, would be an impossibility under the CCP's rigid structure.
"Differences in political systems remain the most fundamental issue in cross-strait relations," Shen asserted, urging the people of Taiwan to recognize these institutional gaps.
Defending Sovereignty
The Deputy Minister called upon Taiwanese citizens to stand united in the defense of their national sovereignty, freedom, and democracy. He assured that the government remains vigilant, continuously monitoring the internal dynamics of the CCP.
Taiwan also remains on high alert against external pressures, with the government committed to countering Chinese efforts involving cognitive warfare, transnational repression, election interference, and attempts to sow division within Taiwanese society.