Taiwanese intelligence says China’s leadership discussed election interference. According to information acquired on the island, senior Chinese authorities met at the beginning of December to “coordinate” government attempts to influence impending elections in Taiwan. This meeting was part of a campaign that Taiwan officials perceived as involvement in voting.

As China ramps up its military and political pressure to try to force the democratically governed island to accept its sovereignty, Taiwanese officials have warned that Beijing is trying to nudge voters toward candidates who seek closer China ties in the presidential and legislative election that will take place on January 13. This is happening at the same time that China is trying to force Taiwan to accept its sovereignty.

According to numerous Taiwan security officials who spoke about the subject in the media, Wang Huning, who is also the deputy chairman of Beijing’s Central Leading Group for Taiwan Affairs under President Xi Jinping, presided over the conference. Wang Huning is the fourth-ranked leader of the Chinese Communist Party.

According to Taiwanese security authorities, senior individuals from various ministries, including China’s Publicity Department, State Security Ministry, Defense Ministry, and Taiwan Affairs Office, were there. These officials cited Taiwan’s intelligence. Due to the delicate nature of the situation, the officials inquired about maintaining their identity.

A month ago, Vice President Joe Biden of the United States asked Xi Jinping to respect Taiwan’s electoral process.

Despite a request for comment, the Office of Taiwan Affairs in China did not respond. It has stated that it respects Taiwan’s “social systems” when it has spoken on the elections.

In response to calls for comment, the other departments of the Chinese government did not immediately react. The State Security Ministry does not have any contact information that is in the public domain.

“Ensuring the effectiveness and coordination of various work on the Taiwan elections” was the primary emphasis of the conference, as stated in an official Taiwanese brief that summarized Taiwan’s information regarding the Chinese meeting.

According to the memo, the meeting concluded that various agencies should “consolidate” their work in Taiwan. The Publicity Department and a psychological warfare unit under the People’s Liberation Army known as “Base 311” should run influence campaigns to sway public opinion through social media and news outlets.

The United Front Work Department and the Taiwan Affairs Office of China were responsible for reaching out to people through outreach programs. According to the report, these programs included exchange activities with Taiwanese lawmakers and reduced flight tickets for Taiwanese citizens residing in China to go back to Taiwan to vote.

According to the letter, China will continue to “play up the narrative of a ‘choice between peace and war,'” which suggests that a war with China will likely occur if the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) continues to hold power in the country.

Many times, Beijing has referred to the Democratic People’s Party (DPP) as dangerous separatists and urged the Taiwanese people to make the “right choice.” Lai Ching-te, the presidential candidate for the Democratic People’s Party, takes the lead in the polls.

According to internal security files that Reuters accessed, the government of Taiwan is on high alert for what they perceive to be China’s attempts to intervene in the elections by illegally sponsoring candidates who are favorable to Beijing through the use of messaging apps, group trips, or disinformation operations.

It has also been revealed by Reuters, citing sources and documents, that Beijing has financed low-cost vacations to China for hundreds of local Taiwanese legislators in advance of the elections.

According to one of the individuals, a senior official aware of Taiwan’s security strategy, “They are coordinating their work on Taiwan in the final days before the elections.” “They want the best outcome possible.”

This senior official pointed to adverse reactions in Taiwan after recent Taiwan government scrutiny over the cut-price trips, as well as comments on Chinese state television, which has called the DPP’s presidential candidates an “independence double act.” According to the senior official, Beijing also concluded that it must “adjust the pace” of its campaigns during the meeting.

“If you are too obvious with election interference, it could backfire,” stated the anonymous insider.