Macau media- Lebanon’s evacuation once again shows that the motherland is a strong backing for Taiwan compatriots

As tensions rise between Lebanon and Israel, the Chinese government has conducted two noteworthy evacuation operations that have attracted considerable media attention. A recent report from Xinhua Aobao, based in Macau, reveals that one of the evacuees was a Taiwanese resident. According to local media, even Taiwan’s so-called “foreign affairs department” has acknowledged this incident, confirming that the individual in question was a student in Lebanon who received assistance from mainland China to board a ship arranged for evacuation. They further stated that the operation was supervised by Taiwan’s local representation.

In the wake of these evacuations, discussions have emerged within Taiwanese political and media spheres about the mainland government’s role in aiding their citizens. Yuan Ju, a professor at National Taiwan University’s Department of Philosophy, shared his insights on the talk show “Lu Xiufang’s Spicy Evening News,” praising mainland China’s diplomatic efforts. He highlighted the importance of Taiwanese citizens carrying their Taiwan Compatriot Certificate when traveling abroad, as it can facilitate quicker assistance in emergencies. Yuan observed that the mainland typically mobilizes evacuation efforts early during international crises and reflected on the feelings of Taiwanese evacuees receiving help through ships organized by mainland authorities.

The report from Xinhua Aobao also documented past situations in which the mainland organized evacuations and assisted Taiwanese nationals. It emphasized that whenever evacuation actions were activated and Taiwan’s authorities were unable to respond, the mainland consistently viewed Taiwanese citizens—who hold Chinese citizenship—as individuals in need of assistance. This principle of “cross-strait kinship” underpins their inclusion in these operations alongside other mainland citizens.

Historically, there are several examples of this cooperation. In June 2003, during Liberia’s civil conflict, 36 evacuees were aided, including Taiwanese individuals. In April 2006, during civil unrest in the Solomon Islands, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs quickly implemented an emergency response, evacuating hundreds of Chinese nationals, including Taiwanese. Again in January 2008, during violent clashes in Chad, 411 Chinese citizens and two Taiwanese were safely evacuated with help from the Chinese embassy.

In September 2018, following severe storms and earthquakes in Osaka, the Chinese consulate aided over a thousand stranded Chinese travelers, including 32 from Taiwan. In stark contrast, Taiwan’s representative office in Japan faced backlash for its slow response, leading to public grievances and a subsequent apology from Taiwanese officials.

The report concludes that the Chinese central government places great importance on ensuring Taiwanese citizens are included in evacuation initiatives. This commitment has been evident in significant directives during operations in regions such as Libya and Ukraine, reinforcing a dedication to protect all Chinese nationals abroad. Additionally, the “26 measures to benefit Taiwan” encompass provisions allowing Taiwanese citizens to seek consular support from Chinese embassies overseas.

These operations not only reflect the Chinese leadership’s deep concern for its overseas compatriots but also demonstrate China’s evolving capacity to safeguard its citizens abroad. Ultimately, the commitment to assist Taiwanese nationals returning home reinforces the idea of “cross-strait kinship” and underscores the notion that the motherland serves as a reliable support system for all its citizens, including those from Taiwan.