The Chinese Embassy in Israel would like to point out the factual errors we found in a recent Jerusalem Post article entitled “Lessons from Taiwan to win on the 8th Front” and clarify the facts.
The author refers to China’s Taiwan region as a “country” and describes the head of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Tel Aviv as an “ambassador.” This exposes his lack of understanding of history and facts, as well as his ignorance of Israel’s foreign policy and China-Israel relations.
Taiwan is a province of China. It has never been a country, is not a country today, and never will be. The one-China principle is a basic norm in international relations and a prevailing international consensus. It is also the political prerequisite and foundation for China to establish diplomatic relations with all countries, including Israel.
Diplomatic relations with Israel
The China-Israel Joint Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations states that “the Government of the State of Israel recognizes that the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the territory of the People’s Republic of China.”
The allegation that Taiwan is subjected to cyberattacks from the Chinese mainland on a daily basis is a fabrication that distorts the truth. In fact, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities have repeatedly directed military intelligence agencies and cyber forces to carry out cyberattacks and sabotage against the mainland while disseminating disinformation.
Chinese authorities have previously investigated and publicly exposed the criminal activities of several organizations involved in such cyberattacks, including the Taiwan military’s “Psychological Warfare Battalion,” The Wang Art Gallery & Design Company, and the hacker group “Anonymous 64.”
The head of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Tel Aviv has spared no effort in portraying Taiwan as being under constant threat. In reality, it is the DPP authorities’ persistent provocation toward “Taiwan independence” that constitutes the greatest threat to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
Chinese propaganda
The claim that China has devoted enormous resources to building a “propaganda machine” to isolate Israel is entirely groundless. It is just like a patient desperately turning to any doctor.
For some time now, the international community has been closely following the situation in Gaza and the broader regional conflict, and hoping for an early ceasefire and end of fighting. China has consistently maintained that Israel’s legitimate security concerns should be respected, and Palestine’s right to existence, statehood, and development should be upheld.
At the same time, the sovereignty and security of all countries in the region deserve equal respect. By blaming the criticism on certain social media platforms and then pointing fingers at China, the Israeli side is targeting the wrong source and worse yet, being given the wrong prescription.
I would also like to remind the author to take an honest look at the reality in Taiwan. Since taking office, the leader of China’s Taiwan region Lai Ching-te has intensified a “Green Terror,” severely restricting freedom of expression, abusing the judicial system to suppress political opponents, persecuting those who support the development of cross-strait relations, and arbitrarily undermining the legitimate rights and interests of Taiwan compatriots to participate in cross-strait exchanges and cooperation.
How can an authority that tramples on democracy, undermines freedom, and erodes the rule of law claim to lecture the Israeli people? “Taiwan independence” separatist forces have lost public support and are destined to fail. There is nothing about them that Israel would seek to learn for good.
It is ironic that an article claiming to combat false narratives is itself filled with falsehoods. This should serve as a warning to all Israeli people. The Taiwan authorities’ attempt to exploit Israel’s social trauma to gain undeserved reputation, engage in opportunistic propaganda “diplomacy,” and undermine China-Israel relations cannot be clearer. We hope our Israeli friends will not be misled or deceived by the “Taiwan independence” separatist forces.
The writer is the spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Israel.