Taiwan is poised for a significant recall vote this weekend that could reshape its parliament, as opposition lawmakers face challenges not only from within the island but also from unexpected backing by Chinese officials and state media, escalating tensions in an already volatile political climate.
Last year, President Lai Ching-te secured victory, yet his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lost its legislative majority. Since then, the opposition has leveraged this position to pass laws opposed by the government and impose budget cuts, complicating efforts to increase defence spending.
The political drama unfolds amid escalating military and diplomatic pressure from China, which seeks to assert territorial claims Taiwan’s government firmly rejects. Although President Lai has repeatedly offered talks with Beijing, his overtures have been rebuffed.
Earlier this year, civic groups formally launched the recall campaign. On Saturday, voters will decide the fate of 24 lawmakers from Taiwan’s largest opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT), who represent around one-fifth of the legislature.
The recall advocates describe their movement as “anti-communist,” accusing the KMT of selling out Taiwan by sending lawmakers to China, opposing defence spending, and causing chaos in parliament. The KMT denies these charges, criticising Lai’s “dictatorship” and “green terror”—a reference to the DPP’s party colour.
China’s involvement has unsettled the KMT, which fears being branded “painted red” by political rivals. In June, two senior Chinese officials responsible for Taiwan policy condemned the recalls as a “political scheme” orchestrated by Lai.
Lai is “engaging in dictatorship under the guise of democracy” and “using every means possible to suppress the opposition,” Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, stated at a June news briefing.
Taiwanese tycoon Robert Tsao, one of the leading recall campaigners, welcomed such comments, telling reporters on Monday, “It shows they \[the KMT] are together with the Communist Party. It helps us.”
The KMT insists it neither requested nor desires Chinese support, nor can it control Beijing’s statements, stressing that it is not pro-Beijing.
“We feel the same way as all the people of Taiwan—this is our business. It is the two parties, the DPP and the KMT, fighting for public support, for public recognition. It has nothing to do with the mainland,” said Crystal Yang, KMT spokesperson.
Chinese state media and affiliated social media accounts published approximately 425 articles or videos during the first half of 2025, describing the recall campaign as “dictatorship” or “green terror,” according to Taiwan research organisation IORG, which monitors Chinese state media.
In an April commentary, the Chinese Communist Party’s official People’s Daily accused Lai of “presumptuously abusing the recall system to crack down on the opposition party, attempting to establish a ‘green dictatorship.’”
Wu Szu-yao, secretary-general of the DPP’s legislative caucus, highlighted the similarity between Beijing and the KMT’s arguments, saying, “China is really concerned that the mass recall will be successful and win the support of Taiwan’s public,” adding that Beijing is “offering ammunition” to the KMT to sway voters.
The Taiwan Affairs Office declined to comment on requests.
The KMT defends its engagement with China as vital given Beijing’s refusal to negotiate with Lai, whom it describes as a “separatist,” and insists such dialogue is necessary to advocate Taiwan’s interests, including the promotion of agricultural exports.
“This is an unfair criticism,” said Tony Lin, chair of the KMT’s Culture and Communication Committee, regarding claims of pro-Beijing sympathies. “What we have always stressed is that we are pro-communication.”
The KMT hopes the recall vote will also serve as a public expression of dissatisfaction with Lai, whom they accuse of incompetence and of exacerbating tensions with China.
“The DPP uses its overwhelming propaganda network to bring up a sense of fear [about China] in Taiwan society,” said Huang Kwei-bo, professor of diplomacy at Taipei’s National Chengchi University and a former KMT deputy secretary general.
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