NPC deputy warns against 'Taiwan independence' in cultural aspect

The Chinese mainland should be vigilant about the potential for promoting cultural "Taiwan independence" in the island after Lai Ching-te of the Democratic Progressive Party, who is set to take office as the island's head in May, Li Yihu, a deputy to China's top legislature and an expert on Taiwan research, said on the sidelines of the ongoing two sessions.

Lai, as a minority-elected island head, has a weaker mandate for promoting legal "Taiwan independence" compared to the previous administration under Tsai Ing-wen, and he would face strong checks from the other two major opposition parties, said Li, a deputy to the National People's Congress and head of Peking University's Taiwan Institute.

However, given his strong pro-independence stance, he could potentially use the position to promote "Taiwan independence" in the cultural aspect and through hidden ways, including the introduction of a basic cultural law, he said.

Li also warned that Lai may seek to integrate Taiwan's cultural, educational and social systems around the "one China, one Taiwan" framework.

He said that promoting cross-Strait cultural exchanges and cooperation is a strong measure to counter cultural "Taiwan independence".

He mentioned recent instances of natural cultural exchanges, such as a popular dance from mainland being shared on social media in Taiwan.

"These exchanges happened naturally," Li said, adding that "we should better develop and promote the common Chinese culture to make them serve as a psychological and emotional link between compatriots on both sides."

Li also expressed the hope for the United States to prudently handle the Taiwan question, as the tense situation in the Strait would not be in the interest of the US.