Following a statement issued on September 9 by China’s State Security Ministry reiterating its unwavering stance on Taiwan, as expected, political parties across the opposite side of the Taiwan Strait have responded, albeit in a routine fashion.

The timing of the original Chinese announcement, on the same day as the passing of the Taiwan Conflict Deterrence Act by the United States Congress, was not a surprise; Beijing routinely criticises any references to Taiwan as anything except a part of the People’s Republic.

The US bill is primarily aimed at discouraging Chinese aggression against Taiwan although this is seen as interfering in China’s internal politics by the Communist Party in Beijing.

Introduced by Representatives French Hill of the Republican Party and Brad Sherman, a Democrat, the bill proposes punitive financial penalties on China if it were to launch an attack on Taiwan. As such, should an offensive against the island occur, the US Treasury Secretary would be required to disclose illicit assets held by China’s top officials. Any disclosures would include details of financial institutions and accounts held by these officials.

Across the Pacific in Taiwan, meanwhile, in a report by Radio Taiwan International (RTI), Kuomintang (KMT) legislator Li Yen-hsiu, reportedly said that China’s announcement aligns with its long-standing position that Taiwan is part of China, but that the timing is evidently a reaction to the US bill. The KMT is typically seen as pro-China although younger members of the party are increasingly identifying more closely to out-and-out pro-Taiwanese policies in recent years.

Also speaking out was Rosalia Wu, the serving Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislative Caucus Secretary-General. Representing the ruling party of President William Lai, Wu expressed gratitude to Taiwan’s democratic allies, a standard part of any DPP speech when addressing the issue of Chinese claims over Taiwan, adding that she recognised their support on the international stage.

Wu further commended the countries that have taken concrete actions to adjust their domestic policies, seeing China’s political pressure as a reaction to the growing international backing for Taiwan.

Another Taiwanese politician speaking out according to RTI was Taiwan People's Party (TPP) legislator Lin Yi-chun who cautioned that the differing interpretations of ‘Taiwan independence’ by the leaders of America and China could in time complicate efforts to manage long-term US-China relations, and end up serving to exacerbate existing tensions. A third party with little real influence in Taiwan, the TPP is currently making headlines for all the wrong reasons with its founder and chairman, Ko Wen-je being held by police as part of investigations into corruption.

In recent months, with China maintaining its hardline position that Taiwan is an integral part of Chinese territory, tensions in the region have escalated significantly.

Chinese air and sea patrols are now a routine part of life for the island with almost daily territorial incursions by Chinese aircraft and warships even as nations around the world call for stability in the area.