Taipei: Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen on Wednesday strongly defended a controversial anti-infiltration law aimed at preventing Chinese interference in the islands presidential polls, to be held on January 11. In her New Year speech, Tsai, seeking re-election, said the law would protect Taiwan’s democracy from any illegal attempt to sabotage the island’s unity, freedom, and liberty, the Efe news reported.

“It is true that Taiwan, being at the frontline against China’s pressure, (is) a victim of constant interference and infiltration by China. We do need such a law to make Taiwan safer so that the society would not be divided by infiltration and interference,” the President said.

The Taiwanese government - led by Tsai’s Democratic Progressive Party - brought the contentious law to thwart attempts like foreign political funding and spreading of misinformation by foreigners in order to impact elections or the work of the government of Taiwan. Any violation of the law - which was passed by the parliament, where the DPP enjoys a majority - would invite a five-year prison term and a fine of up to 10 million Taiwanese dollars approximately ($3,35,000).

On Wednesday the president said China in recent years had repeatedly threatened Taiwan with a “very clear” goal of forcing the island to “give up on its sovereignty”. Tsai rejected the offer of inclusion in the “one country, two systems” political framework that the Chinese government has extended to Taiwan if it agrees to be merged with the mainland. (IANS)

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