China’s new Defense Minister, Dong Jun, recently issued fierce remarks directed at Taiwan. Analysts believe this intimidation tactic is a common cognitive warfare strategy employed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Experts advocate for the effective deterrence capabilities and alliances of democratic countries to counter the regime’s aggression.
“Anyone who dares to separate Taiwan from China is engaging in self-destruction and bound to be smashed to pieces,” declared the new minister.
Taiwan’s Reaction
In response to the Chinese minister’s remarks, Taiwan’s Presidential spokesperson, Wen Lii, affirmed that the regime’s irrational comments will struggle to garner international support.“PRC officials willfully distorted the Taiwanese government’s policies and continued to threaten the use of force. Through longstanding political pressure, they have also worked to prevent Taiwanese representatives from participating in this event. This shows China’s lack of confidence to engage in dialogue with Taiwan,” said Mr. Lii.
Impact of Dong’s Harsh Rhetoric
During a May 31 meeting with Mr. Dong, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin expressed concerns about recent provocative PLA activity around the Taiwan Strait. He reiterated that Beijing “should not use Taiwan’s political transition—part of a normal, routine democratic process—as a pretext for coercive measures.”
Shen Mingshi, director at the Institute for National Defense and Security Research (INDSR) in Taiwan, told the Chinese language edition of The Epoch Times that he believes Mr. Dong’s harsh rhetoric has a primary audience: the CCP leadership. As a newly appointed defense minister, Mr. Dong is keen to win a promotion from Xi Jinping, aiming to become the fourth-ranking member of the Central Military Commission and possibly a State Councilor at the Third Plenary Session.
“For the U.S. and Taiwan, Dong’s harsh words—talking about being ’smashed to pieces’ and engaging in ’self-destruction'—won’t have any effect. Taiwan’s stock market did not drop; instead, it surged,” Mr. Shen noted.
Lai Rongwei, CEO of the Taiwan Inspirational Association (TIA), told The Epoch Times that Mr. Dong’s harsh words are a typical deterrent to the regime.
Mr. Lai considers it a “false move,” asserting that the CCP lacks the strength to attack Taiwan, given internal issues within the People’s Liberation Army, such as last year’s anti-corruption purges of the Rocket Force and the country’s current economic downturn.
“Creating an enemy overseas in the name of defending China’s national interests also serves to distract domestic audiences from economic stresses,” Mr. Lai said.
Mr. Shen highlighted the importance of a coalition of democratic countries, led by the United States, joining forces to help Taiwan and constructing a multilateral deterrence network. “The most reliable and stable way to avoid war is to possess effective deterrent capabilities, making it clear to opponents that if a conflict occurs, they will pay a significant price,” he said.
Global Propaganda and Ideological Promotion
Mr. Lai believes that the CCP has been skillfully manipulating international forums to promote its narratives. These statements, intended to incite internal divisions, are aimed not only at audiences in the United States and Europe but also at Taiwan.“Additionally, they are meant for domestic Chinese audiences and small to medium-sized Third World countries that are troubled with internal ethnic issues and interference from major powers.”
Mr. Lai said that the CCP exploits situations incrementally to its advantage. This strategy involves forming alliances with potential partners and distinguishing between primary and secondary enemies. Once the primary enemy is neutralized, the secondary enemy is elevated to primary status.
Mr. Lai described the CCP’s multifaceted strategy as “using rural areas to counter cities, southern countries to counter northern countries, and aligning with Third World countries to counter industrialized and democratic nations.”
In Taiwan, the CCP employs various tactics: leveraging local areas to undermine the central government, using the civilian sector to challenge governmental authority, using the Kuomintang (KMT) to oppose the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), and even fostering divisions within the KMT itself, according to Mr. Lai.
Mr. Shen believes that international forums serve the CCP not only for cognitive warfare but also to propagate Communist ideology and values, promoting the so-called Beijing Consensus. This includes initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative.
“The CCP makes grandiose and impressive statements in these forums,” Mr. Shen noted. “But implementing these promises is another matter.”
“For example, the CCP once claimed to play a mediation role between Ukraine and Russia, but now it states that it will join Russia in defending each other’s core interests,” said Mr. Shen. Referring to a March 2023 statement by the Chinese embassy after Xi visited Russia.
Countries that place their trust in the CCP must bear the “consequences” of their decisions. Mr. Shen cited Honduras as an example: “Honduras severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan to establish relations with the CCP, only to find that the price of shrimp sold to Beijing was significantly lower—at least half—than what they previously sold to Taiwan.”
