International support key to countering China ethnic unity law: Lai

Taipei, July 1 (CNA) President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) on Wednesday stressed the importance of international support and Taiwan's participation in the global community in countering China's Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Law, which took effect the same day.

Speaking at the ruling Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) Central Executive Committee meeting, Lai, who also chairs the party, said Beijing promulgated the law despite opposition from the United Nations, the European Council, governments and human rights groups.

The law, passed by China's National People's Congress in March, requires all Chinese citizens to uphold national unification and aims to strengthen the identification of Taiwan's people as members of the Chinese nation.

• China's ethnic unity law poses risks to Taiwanese citizens, businesses: Scholar

It also states that individuals or organizations, whether inside or outside China, that undermine ethnic unity or promote ethnic division can be held legally liable, without clearly identifying what kind of conduct fall under those categories.

Lai said the "egregious" law ran counter to international norms by pursuing assimilation and elimination under the pretext of ethnic unity, further highlighting the widening divide between Taiwan and China.

China has repeatedly carried out transnational repression against Taiwanese and is likely to intensify such efforts to create a chilling effect and force Taiwanese into submission, he said.

"We will not accept, much less acquiesce to China's attempts to extend its hands of red terror and united front infiltration into Taiwan's society," Lai said.

Taiwan will respond to the law, Lai said, by proactively making its voice heard in the international community and upholding its national dignity, while working with partners and allies to expand its international participation and expose China's human rights abuses.

Lai also said his administration will strengthen public education on China's transnational repression tactics to help civilians and public servants better prepare for and respond to such threats.

In addition, the government will establish comprehensive assistance and protection mechanisms to provide any necessary support to Taiwanese targeted by Chinese repression, he said.

"I hope that across the political spectrum, all will stand with the government to safeguard people's safety and defend democratic Taiwan, so that it will not become Chinese Taiwan," Lai said.