Japanese-born senior media figure and Executive Director of the Indo-Pacific Strategic Think Tank Akio Yaita was assaulted by a Chinese national surnamed Liao after delivering a speech in Taichung, central Taiwan, on July 6.
Yaita was attending the “NEXT CITY — Chun Yu Innovation Action Camp: Advancing New Taichung” program when, after leaving the venue, he was followed and punched by the suspect. The attacker fled but was intercepted by authorities at Taichung International Airport later that day as he attempted to leave Taiwan.
Yaita received medical treatment and reported the incident to police, who continue to investigate the suspect’s motive.
CCP response draws criticism
At a July 8 press conference, Chen Binhua (陈斌华), spokesperson for the Chinese Communist Party’s Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO), claimed the attacker acted out of “righteous indignation” and described the incident as an ordinary “public security case,” according to China’s state-run Global Times.
The remarks sparked widespread criticism in Taiwan. The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) accused the TAO of “beautifying violence as righteous indignation,” saying the explanation either distorted the facts or underestimated public understanding.
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DPP Taichung City Councilor Lin De-yu (林德宇) also criticized the statement, questioning how the TAO could determine the attacker’s psychological motives while police investigations were still ongoing.
Akio Yaita accuses Beijing of whitewashing violence
In a July 9 statement, Yaita criticized the TAO for attempting to downplay the assault by assigning a motive before the legal process was complete.
He questioned how the attack could be considered an act of “righteous indignation” when the suspect reportedly admitted after his arrest that he had “hit the wrong person.”
Yaita said the TAO’s explanation amounted to “putting makeup on violence” by using a noble-sounding phrase to justify an act of aggression. He warned that the incident reflected a broader pattern of intimidation against those who express views opposed to Beijing.
According to Mirror Media, United Microelectronics Corporation founder Robert Tsao (曹兴诚) expressed support for Yaita at a July 9 press conference, calling the TAO’s response “despicable.”
Tsao warned that violence and intimidation are among the Chinese Communist Party’s familiar tactics and said the attack should not be dismissed as an isolated incident.
“If we do not stand up for him today, who will stand up for us when we are attacked tomorrow?” Tsao said.
RELATED:
- Japanese-born Journalist Akio Yaita Attacked After Speech in Taiwan; Chinese Suspect Arrested
- Akio Yaita Says He ‘Will Never Back Down’ After Assault in Taiwan; Analysts Warn of CCP’s Cross-Border
Taiwan considers tougher measures against transnational repression
Following the attack, Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council said it would work with the Ministry of Justice to strengthen legal measures against transnational repression.
MAC Deputy Director Dong Yu-yun (董玉芸) said the government is studying amendments aimed at increasing criminal penalties for individuals who are instructed, funded, or supported by foreign hostile forces to carry out repression activities in Taiwan.
The government said the goal is to raise the costs of such actions and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
