Not for a comeback! Hong Kong media slams Shen Boyang for "making red money". Scholars reveal the CCP's plot: deepening confrontation with Taiwan

The pro-communist Hong Kong media Wen Wei Po and Ta Kung Pao simultaneously accused yesterday that the family of Shen Boyang, a Taipei mayoral candidate of the Democratic Progressive Party, changed his name and continued to "make money" in China after being sanctioned by China. In this regard, Ye Yaoyuan, chair professor of international studies at the University of St. Thomas in the United States, believes that this is obviously the Ministry of National Security of China intervening in Taiwan's elections through Hong Kong forces. This type of cognitive warfare will deepen social opposition and polarization to a certain extent, and will have a negative impact on Taiwan's social development.

Ye Yaoyuan analyzed that the CCP knows that Taiwanese society may not foot the bill, so it releases information through Hong Kong media in an attempt to increase the validity and credibility of the accusation. However, relevant research shows that the election information may not directly change the position of voters. Existing supporters may be aware of the election and become more determined, while opponents may further strengthen their original prejudices. As for the middle voters who are the audience that the election is competing for, they may not accept such political messages.

Ye Yaoyuan said that rather than saying that the election really changes the ideology of Taiwanese people, what should be discussed is that this kind of cognitive warfare deepens social opposition and polarization to a certain extent, turning so-called pro-Taiwan forces and pro-China forces into enemies. This has a negative impact on Taiwan's democratic process and the overall development of Taiwanese society.

In addition, China has recently targeted Taiwan's allies, resorting to official sanctions and cyber hacking. Ye Yaoyuan bluntly said that such diplomatic sanctions usually have "symbolic significance rather than substantive significance." Take the recently sanctioned Paraguayan Foreign Minister as an example. There is no need for him to go to China. This move is essentially the material for "roaring externally and propaganda internally" to create a great image of China and divert internal pressure.

Ye Yaoyuan analyzed that under the competition between the United States and China, China is trying to break through the blockade of the first island chain, and its methods are no longer limited to military expansion. There are two major strategic models: first, finding weaknesses by attacking U.S. allies and continuing to challenge U.S. hegemony; second, using the "social warfare" model, such as using drugs to cause turmoil and chaos within the society of the United States and its allies, slowing down national development. Overall, China's intention is not only to expand externally through military strength and the Internet, but also to use penetration to continue to destroy the foundation of the other party's society.