Vice President Hsiao: China's Selective Engagement with Taiwan is Divisive, Not Equal
Taiwan's Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim stated that China's selective engagement with Taiwanese society, excluding dissenting voices, is divisive rather than equal. She emphasized that if China truly considers Taiwanese as family, then suppression and intimidation are incompatible with normal family relations, advocating for dialogue based on equal dignity.
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- 📰 Published: May 6, 2026 at 00:16
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Taipei, May 5 (CNA) Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim stated in a media interview that cross-strait interactions should be conducted under the principle of equal dignity. She noted that China's selective engagement with Taiwanese society, excluding dissenting voices, is not about equality but division. If China truly wants to be a family with the people of Taiwan, such methods of suppression and intimidation are completely inconsistent with how normal people treat family members.
Vice President Hsiao's interview with Mirror TV was broadcast today.
Regarding China's cognitive warfare in the gray zone, Vice President Hsiao pointed out that since China's reform and opening up, both sides of the strait have accumulated much experience in exchanges and interactions. Both former President Tsai Ing-wen and President Lai Ching-te have advocated for healthy and orderly exchanges in recent years. However, it is regrettable that regarding the risks that cross-strait exchanges may bring, the other side does not directly engage in more rigorous management and handling with the Taiwanese government and its authorized agencies.
Vice President Hsiao said that most Taiwanese now clearly understand and do not want to live under a communist system. However, China uses various means to beautify and undermine the people's adherence to a free and democratic system, which is a risk currently faced by society.
Vice President Hsiao stated that cross-strait relations are not unable to interact and engage in various fields, but they should be conducted under the framework of "equal dignity." Selectively picking what they like to hear, excluding different voices, political parties, and governments in society, "this is not called equal interaction; this is called division."
Vice President Hsiao said that the premise insisted upon by the other side is to abandon oneself and the existence of the Republic of China before engaging with them. This is neither equality nor dignity. China's international suppression and restriction of the living space of Taiwanese people are things that Taiwanese people find very repulsive and resistant.
Vice President Hsiao pointed out that China's various tactics, sometimes hard, sometimes soft, are not liked by the kind and simple Taiwanese people, who dislike such highly calculated methods. She believes that in the long run, if China truly wants to treat Taiwanese as family, such methods of suppression, intimidation, threats, and disrespect are completely inconsistent with how normal people treat family members and run counter to China's own stated claims.
Vice President Hsiao said this is a two-faced approach, hoping that society will view various cognitive warfare, fake news, or divisive tactics that create more opposition with a more rigorous and cautious attitude, and maintain a high degree of vigilance.
The host asked whether, given that the other side does not abandon these methods, it can be said that there will likely be no official cross-strait exchanges during the DPP government's tenure.
Vice President Hsiao stated that President Lai has said many times that he is very willing to seek opportunities for peaceful coexistence and even common prosperity with the other side under conditions of equal dignity. She believes this goodwill will not change, and it was the same during Tsai Ing-wen's tenure. However, it is regrettable that such unchanging goodwill has not received an appropriate response.
Vice President Hsiao said that this position has not changed much. President Lai and she, before being included in China's sanctions list, also made personal efforts in the past. Before she entered the government, she once exchanged with former Premier and think tank convener Lin Chuan in China, both having tried to promote mutual understanding and recognition through dialogue. "I think this goodwill is unchanging."
Vice President Hsiao stated that China restricts itself and risks misjudging the situation. China's selective engagement within Taiwanese society, picking voices it likes, choosing collaborators, or those with related interests, misses the opportunity for a comprehensive understanding of Taiwanese society, which is very regrettable.
Regarding the domestic situation, how to achieve a stable balance between the ruling and opposition parties. Vice President Hsiao said that there are challenges externally and internally. When facing these challenges, there should be more tolerance and more space for dialogue internally. This is why President Lai has invited the heads of the five Yuans for tea several times, including during the Lunar New Year or sometimes at events outside. Facing people from different parties and positions, it is also necessary to build social consensus through dialogue, especially on major policies and budgets. Taiwan is so small, and everyone still needs to unite.
Vice President Hsiao stated that externally, the international community also has a high consensus on avoiding conflict between the two sides of the strait and avoiding unilateral changes to the status quo through force and coercion. Various countries are also calling on the other side to resolve issues through dialogue. She believes that everyone will continue to work hard.
Vice President Hsiao emphasized, "We have reiterated many times that war is absolutely not an option." Even if everyone has different positions, and even lives in different systems and value systems, Taiwan can interact friendly with so many people around the world. She believes that it is not without wisdom to manage differences through dialogue. For many years, cross-party efforts in Taiwan, when facing China or cross-strait exchanges, have continued to adhere to the spirit and attitude of seeking common ground while reserving differences. (Editor: Pan Yi-ching) 1150505
Vice President Hsiao's interview with Mirror TV was broadcast today.
Regarding China's cognitive warfare in the gray zone, Vice President Hsiao pointed out that since China's reform and opening up, both sides of the strait have accumulated much experience in exchanges and interactions. Both former President Tsai Ing-wen and President Lai Ching-te have advocated for healthy and orderly exchanges in recent years. However, it is regrettable that regarding the risks that cross-strait exchanges may bring, the other side does not directly engage in more rigorous management and handling with the Taiwanese government and its authorized agencies.
Vice President Hsiao said that most Taiwanese now clearly understand and do not want to live under a communist system. However, China uses various means to beautify and undermine the people's adherence to a free and democratic system, which is a risk currently faced by society.
Vice President Hsiao stated that cross-strait relations are not unable to interact and engage in various fields, but they should be conducted under the framework of "equal dignity." Selectively picking what they like to hear, excluding different voices, political parties, and governments in society, "this is not called equal interaction; this is called division."
Vice President Hsiao said that the premise insisted upon by the other side is to abandon oneself and the existence of the Republic of China before engaging with them. This is neither equality nor dignity. China's international suppression and restriction of the living space of Taiwanese people are things that Taiwanese people find very repulsive and resistant.
Vice President Hsiao pointed out that China's various tactics, sometimes hard, sometimes soft, are not liked by the kind and simple Taiwanese people, who dislike such highly calculated methods. She believes that in the long run, if China truly wants to treat Taiwanese as family, such methods of suppression, intimidation, threats, and disrespect are completely inconsistent with how normal people treat family members and run counter to China's own stated claims.
Vice President Hsiao said this is a two-faced approach, hoping that society will view various cognitive warfare, fake news, or divisive tactics that create more opposition with a more rigorous and cautious attitude, and maintain a high degree of vigilance.
The host asked whether, given that the other side does not abandon these methods, it can be said that there will likely be no official cross-strait exchanges during the DPP government's tenure.
Vice President Hsiao stated that President Lai has said many times that he is very willing to seek opportunities for peaceful coexistence and even common prosperity with the other side under conditions of equal dignity. She believes this goodwill will not change, and it was the same during Tsai Ing-wen's tenure. However, it is regrettable that such unchanging goodwill has not received an appropriate response.
Vice President Hsiao said that this position has not changed much. President Lai and she, before being included in China's sanctions list, also made personal efforts in the past. Before she entered the government, she once exchanged with former Premier and think tank convener Lin Chuan in China, both having tried to promote mutual understanding and recognition through dialogue. "I think this goodwill is unchanging."
Vice President Hsiao stated that China restricts itself and risks misjudging the situation. China's selective engagement within Taiwanese society, picking voices it likes, choosing collaborators, or those with related interests, misses the opportunity for a comprehensive understanding of Taiwanese society, which is very regrettable.
Regarding the domestic situation, how to achieve a stable balance between the ruling and opposition parties. Vice President Hsiao said that there are challenges externally and internally. When facing these challenges, there should be more tolerance and more space for dialogue internally. This is why President Lai has invited the heads of the five Yuans for tea several times, including during the Lunar New Year or sometimes at events outside. Facing people from different parties and positions, it is also necessary to build social consensus through dialogue, especially on major policies and budgets. Taiwan is so small, and everyone still needs to unite.
Vice President Hsiao stated that externally, the international community also has a high consensus on avoiding conflict between the two sides of the strait and avoiding unilateral changes to the status quo through force and coercion. Various countries are also calling on the other side to resolve issues through dialogue. She believes that everyone will continue to work hard.
Vice President Hsiao emphasized, "We have reiterated many times that war is absolutely not an option." Even if everyone has different positions, and even lives in different systems and value systems, Taiwan can interact friendly with so many people around the world. She believes that it is not without wisdom to manage differences through dialogue. For many years, cross-party efforts in Taiwan, when facing China or cross-strait exchanges, have continued to adhere to the spirit and attitude of seeking common ground while reserving differences. (Editor: Pan Yi-ching) 1150505