IRONICALLY, just as Beijing is basking in its success in containing the coronavirus disease 2019, sentiment against the mainland has worsened in Taiwan, with China’s insistence that the island is part of its territory and thus ineligible for World Health Organization (WHO) membership.

The coronavirus was but one factor that gave rise to recent strong anti-mainland sentiment in Taiwan. Such feelings were built up over the last four years, as Beijing increasingly pressured Taiwan in the economic, diplomatic and military spheres. On top of all that was Beijing’s suppression of pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.