TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP, 民進黨) issued a stern warning to former President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) on Wednesday (June 11) to prioritize the island's sovereignty rather than participate in what they described as Beijing's "united front tactics." Ma is scheduled to lead a delegation of Taiwanese students to mainland China this Saturday for the Straits Forum (海峽論壇), following an invitation from Chinese authorities, according to Hsiao Hsu-tsen (蕭旭岑), who directs the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation (馬英九基金會).
At a press conference held in Taipei, DPP spokesperson Wu Cheng (吳崢) expressed grave concerns about what he characterized as Beijing's intensifying united front campaign targeting Taiwan. Wu pointed to alarming developments in regional security, including the recent deployment of China's aircraft carrier Liaoning (遼寧號) in waters near the U.S. territory of Guam and the persistent pattern of Chinese military aircraft violating Taiwan's air defense identification zone.
"More than 40 Chinese military aircraft have been harassing Taiwan's airspace," Wu stated, adding that the People's Liberation Army's intimidation tactics against Taiwan and neighboring Asia-Pacific nations have reached unprecedented levels. He warned that these physical provocations are coupled with sophisticated cognitive warfare operations designed to undermine Taiwan's resolve. The DPP spokesperson directly appealed to former President Ma, cautioning him against becoming "a model for Xi Jinping" and imploring him to refrain from actions that might compromise Taiwan's interests or mislead its citizens. ◼