Taiwan Offers China Aid to Fight COVID Surge Amid Cross-Strait Tensions

Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen speaks at a ceremony to mark the island's National Day in front of the Presidential Office in Taipei on Oct. 10, 2022. Sam Yeh/AFP via Getty Images

Taiwan’s leader said Sunday that her nation is willing to assist China in dealing with its recent surge in COVID-19 infections despite mounting cross-strait tensions with China’s ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

The CCP abruptly abandoned its draconian zero-COVID policy last month as COVID-19 cases surged and mass protests were mounting against the harsh restrictions on life in China. Throughout December, Chinese reported that the nation’s health services were being overwhelmed by the rapid rise in cases.

As many as 37 million people per day were estimated to be contracting the virus in China, according to leaked minutes from a meeting of the country’s top health body confirmed by multiple news outlets.

“We are aware that the pandemic situation has recently become more serious in China,” Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen said in her New Year’s remarks on Jan. 1.

“If need be, we are willing, out of humanitarian concern, to provide necessary assistance to help more people get through the pandemic and enjoy good health and peace of mind in the new year,” she added.

Tsai did not specify the nature of assistance Taiwan would offer China.

Taiwan has imposed saliva-based PCR testing for all arrivals from four Chinese cities—Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Xiamen—from Jan. 1 to Jan. 31.

The testing policy will also apply to arrivals from Taiwan’s outlying Kinmen and Matsu islands. Hong Kong and Macau travelers are not subject to the measures.

Taiwan’s Offer

Alex Tan, a professor of international relations at the University of Canterbury, said that it’s unclear whether Taiwan has the capacity to assist the mainland in combating the COVID-19 surge because the island is also short on medicines.

“The Taiwanese would be able to [provide China] personal protective equipment. But I’m not quite sure whether in the medical side Taiwan would be able to help because they are also in relatively short supply,” he told Australian media on Monday.

People wait for medical attention at Fever Clinic area in Tongren Hospital in the Changning district in Shanghai, on Dec. 23, 2022. Hector Retamal/AFP via Getty Images

Tan added that China is unlikely to accept Taiwan’s offer and may impose preconditions that are difficult for Taiwan to fulfill. He noted that Tsai indicated her intention to work with the CCP during her first presidential term in 2016 but received no response.

“In the past, we’ve seen the PRC act that way, wherein it seems like they want to work with Taiwan, but then they create so many preconditions that make it very difficult for the Taiwanese authorities to accept because the offers attached with some sovereignty issues and claims about One China policy,” he said.

China’s Persistent Incursions

An H-6 bomber of Chinese PLA Air Force flies near a Taiwan F-16 in this Feb. 10, 2020 handout photo provided by Taiwan Ministry of National Defense. In a statement, the ministry said Chinese J-11 fighters and H-6 bombers flew into the Bashi Channel to the south of Taiwan, then out into the Pacific before heading back to base via the Miyako Strait. Taiwan Ministry of National Defense/Handout via Reuters

Tsai’s remarks came as the CCP increased its warplane incursions into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone, with the most recent occurring on Dec. 25-26, when the CCP sent 71 planes and seven ships toward Taiwan.

The CCP claims Taiwan as part of its territory despite Taiwan being an self-ruled island with a democratically-elected government. The CCP has vowed to conquer the island by force if necessary.

In her New Year’s address, Tsai urged the CCP to return to dialogue and to cooperate in achieving regional stability across the Taiwan Strait, noting that the two countries faced common challenges.

“War has never been a way to solve problems, and only through dialogue, cooperation, and joint efforts toward the goals of regional stability and development can we help more people enjoy security and happiness,” she said.

Tsai announced on Dec. 27 that her government would extend Taiwan’s compulsory military service from four months to one year in 2024 in the wake of the growing military threat posed by the CCP to the nation.

“Taiwan wants to tell the world that between democracy and dictatorship, we firmly believe in democracy. Between war and peace, we insist on peace. Let us show the courage and determination to protect our homeland and defend democracy,” she said.

Lisa Bian and Sean Tseng contributed to this report.