Chinese mainland authorities have sharply criticized Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for propagating what they characterize as fabricated ‘infiltration’ narratives. Zhu Fenglian, spokeswoman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, addressed these claims during a Wednesday press conference, labeling the DPP’s assertions as both misleading and deliberately malicious.
The controversy emerged following recent statements from DPP officials regarding the use of mainland Chinese expressions in everyday Taiwanese contexts. DPP Secretary-General Hsu Kuo-yung asserted that such linguistic practices, while seemingly minor, could collectively constitute a form of ‘cultural infiltration’ that threatens Taiwan’s distinctive identity.
This rhetoric has manifested in tangible consequences, including the online harassment of a Keelung dessert shop that incorporated mainland terminology for green grapes in its menu offerings. Zhu characterized these developments as irrational and pathological, attributing them directly to the DPP’s political agenda of eliminating Chinese cultural elements from Taiwanese society.
The spokeswoman further condemned the DPP’s educational policies, noting the implementation of ‘Taiwan independence’ curricula and textbooks that seek to reconstruct historical narratives. She emphasized that Chinese culture remains the shared heritage of all compatriots across the Strait, encompassing language, writing systems, and traditional celebrations.
In a related development, Zhu addressed a recent report from Taiwan’s security department alleging mainland use of artificial intelligence and big data analytics for disinformation campaigns. She dismissed these claims as factual distortions designed to foster anti-China sentiment and divert attention from the DPP’s governance challenges.
The DPP has concurrently pursued legislative measures to counter perceived infiltration, including proposed amendments to strengthen the 2020 ‘anti-infiltration act.’ Zhu characterized this legislation as a political tool for suppressing opposition and intimidating Taiwan residents, ultimately serving separatist objectives while restricting cross-Strait exchanges and undermining fundamental freedoms.