China pushes back at claims of involvement in attack on comedian who mocked Xi Jinping

China has pushed back against allegations that it was involved in an attack on a Taiwanese comedian known for mocking President Xi Jinping, accusing Taiwan of stoking anti-China sentiment.

Chen Binhua, spokesperson for China's State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said at a regular briefing Wednesday that Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party "fabricates all manner of pretexts without any basis to maliciously smear the Chinese mainland, incites 'anti-China and resistance to China' sentiment, and stirs up cross-strait confrontation every time there is an election in Taiwan."

Chen went on to say that the term "transnational repression" was being used "to promote 'Taiwan independence' claims and spread the two-states theory," adding that the intent was "to mislead the Taiwanese public and pursue political self-interest."

According to Reuters, Taiwanese prosecutors indicted five people Thursday on charges of plotting a staged traffic accident to attack comedian Huang Yi-hao.

The defendants are accused of agreeing on Sept. 11 to accept payment in exchange for breaking Huang's arms and legs to prevent Huang from performing, then carrying out the plan by ramming a vehicle into Huang and causing injuries.

Taiwanese prosecutors believe a figure known as "K," identified as someone from mainland China, promised to pay Taiwanese accomplices NT$450,000 ($13,800) and directed the attack.

Taiwan's government has characterized the incident as a case of China reaching across borders to intimidate those it opposes politically.

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, speaking at a DPP weekly meeting Wednesday, criticized "transnational repression" as a tool China could use to erode public trust in Taiwan's democratic system.

Lai said China's interference in Taiwan's elections goes beyond attempting to directly alter voting outcomes and includes "spreading disinformation, deepening social divisions, and inciting hatred between groups."

Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung also told the legislature in a report submitted Wednesday that the incident and others like it demonstrate the expansion of China's attempts to threaten individual safety, freedom of expression, and the resilience of democratic societies.