Taiwan's government believes China is set to renew a charm offensive targeting ‘opinion leaders’ to win hearts and minds as the island gears up for a presidential election in less than a year, a security agency said in an internal report
"The Chinese Communist Party is developing its exchange programmes with Taiwan for the year. Various Taiwan-related agencies will gradually resume their invitations to Taiwan people on all levels to visit the mainland," the agency said in the February report, citing intelligence information.due in January next year, officials worry that Beijing could try to stir animosity towards the government of President Tsai Ing-wen.
Beijing is expected to try to use its campaign to sway the public to support political parties that are more open to "reunification", or at least to building closer ties. "The exchange programmes may come in the name of sports, culture or commerce, but what we are worried about is what's being said privately," the official said.The report did not single out an individuals or parties that Taiwan believes could be targeted in the campaign but Beijing has long-standing contacts with the main opposition party, the Kuomintang or KMT, which traditionally favours close ties with China, but strongly denies being pro-Beijing.
It said the ruling party had failed to take the initiative in reducing tension and improving communication, leaving it to the KMT to do so.
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