Taiwan’s democracy under threat, says DPP caucus whip

TAIPEI (TVBS News)—The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus whip Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘) said on Thursday (May 23) that China's decision to conduct military exercises around Taiwan on the same day and the next confirmed his previous allegations. He accused the opposition parties, specifically the Kuomintang and Taiwan People's Party, of colluding with China to undermine Taiwan's democracy.

"People of Taiwan, it's a matter of life and death for our country," Ker said.

Ker pointed out the alleged collusion between the opposition parties and Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平), stating it poses a direct threat to Taiwan's democratic freedoms. He emphasized that the Legislative Yuan is now under what he described as the long arm of Xi Jinping's jurisdiction, marking a national crisis.

Ker's comments have sparked a significant conversation about the state of Taiwan's democracy and its future in the face of increasing pressure from China. As the island braces for the upcoming military exercises, the implications of his accusations against the opposition parties and their alleged collusion with China remain a focal point of concern for many in Taiwan and abroad. The situation underscores the complex dynamics in the Taiwan Strait and the critical importance of maintaining democratic integrity in the face of external pressures.