Author: Ethan Connell
Here’s the latest edition of the TSM PRC State Media Tracker. Each Friday, we highlight key excerpts from China’s state media organs, such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of National Defense, and the Taiwan Affairs Office, all below!
Response to Events in Venezuela
14 January 2026
Comments from the Taiwan Affairs Office and the Ministry of National Defense on the implications of the United States capturing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro:
At the January 14 press conference of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, a reporter asked: The United States recently sent troops to forcibly take control of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife and deport them, which has drawn widespread attention in Taiwan. Time magazine published an article saying that what Taiwan should really worry about is that U.S. attention will be consumed by Venezuela, thereby losing the United States as its “backer”; and that China does not need any international “precedent” to take action on its own territory. What is your comment on this?
TAO spokesperson Zhu Fenglian responded that Taiwan is a part of China. The Taiwan question is China’s internal affair, and resolving the Taiwan question is a matter for the Chinese people themselves and a just cause to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity. “Outsiders cannot be relied upon.” The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities’ attempt to “seek independence by relying on external forces” will only end up with them becoming “discarded pawns” of external forces.
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(Reporter): Some public opinion on the island is concerned that the mainland might emulate what the United States did with Venezuela to “legitimize” taking action against Taiwan. Some foreign media say that if the mainland wanted to copy the U.S. approach to handling the Taiwan issue, the costs and risks would be much higher. What is your comment?
(Zhang Xiaogang): The Taiwan question is purely China’s internal affair; how it is resolved is for the Chinese people to decide, and external forces have no right to make remarks. Dealing with “Taiwan independence” armed forces would be like catching a turtle in a jar—any measures that can severely punish “Taiwan independence” elements are on the table.
The US’ Economic “Plundering” of Taiwan
14 January 2026
Comment from the Taiwan Affairs Office on the announcement that a tariff deal between Taiwan and the United States is nearing completion, under which U.S. tariffs on imports from Taiwan would be lowered to 15 percent, and TSMC would make additional investments in Arizona to build at least five more semiconductor plants:
At the January 14 press conference of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, a reporter asked: The New York Times recently reported that people familiar with the matter said the United States is close to reaching a trade agreement with Taiwan, under which U.S. tariffs on imports from Taiwan would be lowered to 15 percent, and TSMC would make additional investments in Arizona to build at least five more semiconductor plants. Figures and public opinion in Taiwan have questioned whether the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities are “trading investment for tariffs,” which would lead to top-tier semiconductor production capacity moving to the United States and turn TSMC into “U.S. TSMC.” What is your comment?
TAO spokesperson Zhu Fenglian responded that the so-called agreement is an act of economic plunder by the United States against Taiwan using high tariffs as leverage, and a scheme to “bleed” Taiwan’s industries. This not only exposes the selfish nature of “America First,” but also lays bare the malicious intent of the United States in treating Taiwan as a pawn.
She said that when faced with the blatant bullying and plunder by external forces, the DPP authorities not only offer no resistance, but instead actively cater to them, treating the island’s core technological advantages as a “pledge of allegiance” to ingratiate themselves with outside forces. In tariff negotiations, they “kneel before even negotiating,” and in the face of economic extortion, they “offer the other cheek after being slapped.” The more “contracts of selling oneself” they sign, the more they will ultimately destroy Taiwan’s economic development prospects and harm the long-term interests of the people of Taiwan.
17 Strategies for Cross-Strait Relations
14 January 2026
On the recent passage of draft amendments to the “Act Governing Relations Between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area” in Taiwan:
At the January 14 press conference of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, a reporter asked: The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities have recently passed four draft amendments related to security as well as revisions to the “Act Governing Relations Between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area.” Public opinion on the island has pointed out that these are concrete steps to push forward Lai Ching-te’s so-called “17 strategies,” aimed at further restricting cross-Strait exchanges. Behind this is the DPP authorities’ political calculation to achieve “martial law on speech” and “martial law on the internet.” What is your comment?
TAO spokesperson Zhu Fenglian responded that Lai Ching-te’s so-called “17 strategies” completely go against the mainstream public opinion in Taiwan that wants peace, development, exchange, and cooperation, and fully prove that he is a “destroyer of cross-Strait peace” and a “maker of Taiwan Strait crises.”
She said that the DPP authorities’ recent actions have sinister intentions and seek to open the door wide for further creating “green terror,” plotting “Taiwan independence authoritarianism,” and undermining cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation. These reprehensible actions that are anti-peace, anti-exchange, anti-democracy, and anti-humanity will inevitably be opposed and are doomed to fail.
Taiwan’s Resolve to Fight
16 January 2026
From China’s Ministry of National Defense on a recent poll alleging 60% of respondents are “unwilling to go to the battlefield” :
(Reporter): It is reported that a Taiwan public opinion poll shows that more than 60% of respondents said they are unwilling for themselves or their family members to go to war. What is your comment?
(Zhang Xiaogang): This again shows that the overwhelming majority of people on the island want peace, development, exchange, and cooperation, and do not want to see cross-strait confrontation or antagonism, let alone armed conflict. The Lai Ching-te authorities are acting against the current, seeking “independence” and provoking war; their true face as “destroyers of peace,” “manufacturers of crisis,” and “instigators of war” will be seen through by more and more people. I believe no one is willing to be “cannon fodder” for “Taiwan independence.” The separatist “Taiwan independence” forces go against public opinion and will ultimately be swept into the dustbin of history.
Japanese Cabinet Secretary Visits Taiwan
16 January 2026
A Japanese delegation led by Katsunobu Kato, member of the House of Representatives and former chief cabinet secretary, was received at the Presidential Office in Taipei City.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ response:
Nippon TV reporter: A former Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary visited Taiwan and held talks with Taiwan’s “president” Lai Ching-te. Lai thanked the Japanese prime minister for continuing to express the position of attaching importance to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. What is China’s comment?
Guo Jiakun: Taiwan is a province of China; there is no such thing as a “president.” There is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. China firmly opposes any form of official interaction between countries that have diplomatic relations with China and the Taiwan authorities. We urge Japan to earnestly abide by the one-China principle and not send any wrong signals to “Taiwan independence” separatist forces. We also want to stress that what Japan should most do now is retract Kōichi Hagiuda’s erroneous Taiwan-related remarks.