The US Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) is currently conducting a hearing to examine China’s coercive tactics against Taiwan. This event aims to highlight Beijing’s increasing efforts to pressure Taiwan politically and weaken its democratic system. Moreover, the commission seeks to explore how these tactics affect US-Taiwan relations and to consider effective ways to respond.
Specifically, China’s coercive tactics against Taiwan include a broad range of strategies designed to shape global opinion. According to the CECC, Beijing uses political pressure, cognitive warfare, censorship, and narrative control to assert its claims over Taiwan. Consequently, these efforts pose serious challenges to Taiwan’s democracy as well as to the international community’s support for its sovereignty.
The hearing focuses on four key areas of China’s coercive tactics against Taiwan. First, it explores the effects of China’s “22 Articles” tied to the Anti-Secession Law. These articles provide the legal and political framework Beijing uses to justify actions aimed at Taiwan.
Second, the hearing examines China’s political and cognitive warfare operations. These operations often rely on disinformation campaigns and psychological tactics aimed at influencing public opinion within Taiwan and worldwide. As a result, they seek to sow doubt and weaken support for Taiwan’s independence.
Third, the hearing addresses China’s censorship of Taiwanese people living abroad. Through these censorship efforts, Beijing attempts to silence critics and control the narrative beyond its borders. Therefore, this approach limits freedom of expression among Taiwanese communities overseas.
Finally, the hearing evaluates China’s global campaign to shape the narrative about Taiwan. This campaign seeks to isolate Taiwan diplomatically and undermine international recognition of its democratic government. Thus, the CECC aims to understand these efforts fully and to recommend policies that will help Taiwan resist such pressure.
Experts participating in the hearing include Rear Admiral Mike Studeman, former commander of the US Office of Naval Intelligence, and Peter Mattis, president of The Jamestown Foundation. Their insights will help inform recommendations for US policy.
In summary, the US Congress is intensifying its focus on China’s coercive tactics against Taiwan. This hearing represents an important step in identifying ways to support Taiwan’s democracy and counter Beijing’s aggressive strategies. Ultimately, the commission’s work signals the growing significance of Taiwan’s democratic resilience in global affairs.
