Taiwan on Tuesday cautioned its entertainers against echoing mainland Chinese propaganda, singling out Beijing’s
military parade next week while reiterating that government employees and senior retired officers were forbidden from attending.
The warning was issued by the island’s Mainland Affairs Council ahead of the Victory Day parade in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square on September 3 to mark the
80th anniversary of Japan’s defeat in World War II.
“Taiwanese entertainers developing careers in mainland China must abide by cross-strait regulations, be mindful of public perception, and refrain from supporting the Communist Party’s propaganda campaigns – particularly the September 3 military parade,” said Chiu Chui-cheng, head of the council.
He stressed that celebrities must safeguard the island’s image, dignity and collective interests, and avoid endorsing remarks that belittle Taiwan or undermine the Republic of China (ROC), the island’s official name for itself.
Authorities had previously taken a more lenient stance towards political expression by entertainers under the principle of
free speech. But amid rising cross-strait tensions, scrutiny has tightened over Taiwanese figures working in mainland China, with officials citing concerns over Beijing’s growing influence and infiltration.
At least 20 entertainers are under investigation for reposting mainland Chinese state media content or echoing statements by mainland officials. The controversy follows a
March incident in which multiple celebrities – including Ouyang Nana, Mark Chao, Patty Hou, Joe Chen, Michelle Chen and Jiro Wang – shared a propaganda image that said “Taiwan must return to China”, shortly after mainland Foreign Minister Wang Yi declared that “Taiwan has never been a country and never will be”.
Chiu said more than 10 entertainers had responded to government inquiries and that the culture ministry would continue its review of the rest to determine whether they were cooperating with the Communist Party’s united front strategy, referring to Beijing’s use of influence operations to woo Taiwanese.
South China Morning Post
