ROC Lawmaker Urges Transparent Safeguards and Anti-Infiltration Legislation Against Transnational Repression

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Taipei mayoral candidate Shen Po-yang shared his views during a media interview on Tuesday regarding the Executive Yuan’s recent launch of a special protection project for candidates, citing concerns over "transnational repression." Shen pointed out that while safeguarding the security of all candidates is undoubtedly important, the fundamental rights and freedoms of the people must also be taken into consideration, and the living space of citizens must not be sacrificed for the sake of guarding against external forces. He emphasized that while upgrading security, the government must provide concrete and transparent supporting measures so that voters feel genuinely protected rather than merely experiencing a formal declaration.

The term "transnational repression" stems from information infiltration, financial backing, and intimidation tactics employed by mainland China against Taiwanese political figures and social activists in recent years. Since 2022, relevant Taiwanese authorities have repeatedly exposed attempts by the mainland to interfere in elections through internet platforms, monetary donations, and foreign force infiltration. In 2023, the Legislative Yuan passed relevant clauses in the National Security Act, classifying such behavior as a severe threat to national security. In response to this situation, the Executive Yuan established an inter-ministerial task force at the end of last year to strengthen protection for the upcoming 2024 local elections, including measures such as encrypted communications, identification of disguised information, and on-site police deployment. Shen believes that while these technical-level protections are indispensable, they are still insufficient to resolve fundamental institutional loopholes.

Against this backdrop, Shen mentioned that he had previously called on the Legislative Yuan multiple times to promptly deliberate the amendment draft of the Anti-Infiltration Act. The original bill, first passed in 2021, primarily established review and restriction mechanisms targeting foreign force infiltration in Taiwan's political, economic, and social spheres. The amendment draft aims to expand the scope of application to include emerging digital platforms and financial tools, while strengthening regulation over political donations and electoral activities. Shen stated that if the Legislative Yuan can complete deliberations and pass the amendments before the end of this year, it will provide a more solid legal defense line for the upcoming elections, reducing the room for external forces to exploit gray areas for interference.

However, the legislative amendment process has not been entirely smooth. Some opposition parties and civil society groups worry that excessively expanded regulation could erode freedom of speech and the space for civic participation, particularly concerning restrictions on transnational non-governmental organizations and academic exchanges. Divergent opinions have also emerged within the Legislative Yuan: the DPP majority leans toward strengthening protective measures, while the Kuomintang and the New Power Party advocate that while ensuring security, clear review standards and remedy mechanisms must be established. This legal debate not only concerns the fairness of elections but also reflects Taiwan's long-term challenge of balancing security and freedom under international political pressure.

From a broader perspective, the Taipei mayoral election has always been a bellwether for national political trends. If candidates widely perceive transnational threats, it could affect their campaign strategies and policy orientations, and even alter voters' expectations regarding cross-strait relations. Shen's remarks serve as a reminder to all parties that preventing external interference should not merely be a one-way action by the government; rather, it requires multi-layered cooperation among the legislature, the judiciary, and civil society to maintain the vitality and transparency of the democratic system while safeguarding national security. In the coming weeks, the Legislative Yuan's deliberation progress and the Executive Yuan's project implementation effectiveness will serve as key indicators for observing whether Taiwan's electoral environment is truly secure and fair.