China is using ‘legal warfare’ to threaten foreign citizens, Taiwan’s Ambassador to Canada says.

By Sam Cooper | Published by The Bureau

In an exclusive interview with The Bureau, Taiwan’s top diplomat in Canada argues that despite Beijing’s increasing shows of force in the South China Sea, he believes President Xi Jinping is simply not positioned to instigate a hot war with Taiwan and the West.

Summary

Ambassador Harry Tseng, Taiwan’s top diplomat in Canada, said internal challenges facing China could temper Beijing’s aggressive posture in the South China Sea. Citing corruption within the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and the country’s economic problems as curbing factors, Tseng asserts Beijing will try to fulfill its objectives without firing a shot

The more immediate threat, he says, is the democratic world succumbing to “China’s legal warfare and authoritarian expansionism.”

Tseng points to the use of “legal warfare” and covert strategies by Beijing to extend its influence and pressure Taiwan and other nations.

The ambassador’s remarks on foreign interference and the challenges of maintaining democratic integrity in the face of external influence are particularly relevant to countries like Canada, which have recently become more aware of such activities. Tseng’s call for greater awareness and support from the international community underscores the importance of solidarity among democratic nations in countering authoritarian expansionism.

Tseng’s final message to Canada is a call to action, urging Canada to recognize its potential as a global leader and to take a more assertive role in international affairs. He suggests that Canada’s self-perception as a “medium power” may be a self-imposed limitation and encourages the country to embrace its capacity to be a “first-rate power.”

“It’s you that are dragging your own legs,” says Tseng.

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