Taiwan’s Official Response
The Yaya Incident did not occur by chance but rather under a high-pressure environment shaped by a downward spiral of policies and rhetoric from both mainland China and Taiwan.
According to a March 13 report by Deutsche Welle, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te convened a National Security Meeting that day and later delivered a speech. The article wrote that Lai “enumerated instances where Taiwanese military personnel, artists, media professionals, and businesspeople had been allegedly bribed, infiltrated, coerced, or pressured by the Chinese government, and he proposed corresponding countermeasures.”
Lai warned, “The Chinese government’s objective is to sow discord within our society, keeping us preoccupied with internal conflicts while distracting us from the real external threats.”
At the beginning of his speech, Lai specifically mentioned active and retired military personnel who had “leaked intelligence, even formed armed groups, and plotted to harm their own country and people.” He advocated for the reinstatement of military tribunals, stating that “military judges must return to the frontlines” and work alongside judicial and investigative agencies to handle cases of treason, espionage, and leaks within the armed forces.During this meeting, Lai officially designated China as a “hostile foreign force”, drawing significant attention on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.
Under Taiwan’s Anti-Infiltration Act, Lai argued that any country engaging in warfare against Taiwan, using military confrontation, or advocating non-peaceful means to undermine Taiwan’s sovereignty should be classified as a “hostile foreign force.” According to his interpretation, China meets these criteria.
Analysts on both sides of the Taiwan Strait suggest that this situation could further heighten cross-strait tensions. However, in response to media inquiries, Lai Ching-te expressed a different view. He stated, “Taiwan is a democratic country and a responsible member of the region. We have never been the ones to escalate tensions but have always been committed to regional security and stability.”
Regarding the Yaya incident, Lai Ching-te responded that advocating for war is not a matter of free speech but a criminal act as explicitly defined by the United Nations’ International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. He emphasized that while Taiwan welcomes immigrants from diverse backgrounds, it cannot accept those who harm Taiwan’s “national interests.”
Following Lai Ching-te’s administration’s move to designate China as a hostile force and implement various extraordinary measures to bolster domestic political security, Beijing has not only escalated its rhetoric but also demonstrated military resolve. According to Xinhua News Agency, Colonel Shi Yi, spokesperson for the Eastern Theater Command of the People’s Liberation Army, announced that on April 2, the command conducted the “Strait Thunder-2025A” drills in the central and southern waters of the Taiwan Strait. The exercises focused on verifying and identifying targets, issuing warnings and repelling intrusions, intercepting and detaining vessels, and testing the military’s capabilities in regional control, joint blockade, and precision strikes.
Conclusion
As the Russia-Ukraine war continues with no clear resolution in sight, many Western analysts argue that a Russian victory at the negotiation table could embolden Beijing to take military action against Taiwan. Whether this will be the case remains to be seen, but it has certainly prompted Taiwan to take bold action. Coupled with U.S.-China relations being at their most volatile in decades, cross-strait relations have become increasingly worrisome. This growing tension is evident in the hardline messages exchanged between Beijing and Taipei. The expulsion of Yaya, a mother of three young children, from Taiwan is merely a microcosm of the broader power struggle playing out across the Strait.
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