Mainland China says Taiwan recall vote shows how ‘political manipulation’ failed

Beijing has criticised Taiwan’s failed recall vote as a “political manipulation” that was “completely contrary” to the will of the people.

In Saturday’s vote, all 24 lawmakers from the Beijing-friendly Kuomintang (KMT) survived the recall attempt backed by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

Chen Binhua, a spokesman for mainland China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, criticised the DPP for “repeatedly provoking political strife” at the expense of Taiwanese people’s well-being, state news agency Xinhua reported.

Chen also said the DPP wanted a one-party monopoly and “real authoritarianism”, while resorting to every means of suppressing political dissent and trying to create a “green terror” – a reference to the colour favoured by independence-leaning parties.

“The voting results show that the political manipulation of the DPP is completely contrary to the people’s will on the island and is unpopular,” he added.

Beijing regards Taiwan as an integral part of China and has never renounced the use of force to bring it under its control.

The Chinese mainland has intensified its political, economic and military pressure on Taiwan since the DPP’s William Lai Ching-te – whom Beijing regards as a separatist – was elected as the island’s leader last year.