Taiwan's government is openly accusing Beijing of trying to sway the island's 2026 local elections, a warning aimed at voters and at anyone downplaying the threat.

• Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council said it is common knowledge that China will back one side and attack the other in the island's elections.
• The pushback came after reporters questioned President Lai Ching-te's claim that Beijing's summer leadership gathering issued four secret directives on Taiwan.
• Beijing has said plainly it will support "patriotic unification forces" on the island and strike at pro-independence groups.
• The Beidaihe gathering has never been a formal meeting — just leaders swapping views on holiday — so rumors swirl every summer because China's system is closed.
• Talk is already circulating about who is in and who is out of the next Politburo Standing Committee.

Outlook: Expect Taipei to keep framing the 2026 local elections as a test of Chinese interference, with more disputed leaks about Beijing's intentions ahead of the vote.