Well-known host Tsai Kang-yong appeared at the Democratic Progressive Party's Taipei mayoral candidate Shen Boyang's presidential election inauguration meeting, triggering continuous criticism from China's Taiwan Affairs Office and the Chinese Communist Party's official media, calling him a "two-faced person" who is colluding with Taiwan independence. Tsai Kang-yong recently issued a notice announcing that he will wear a "black suit" to attend the opening of Taipei Mayor Chiang Wanan's campaign headquarters on the 26th. Scholars analyzed today that even if Tsai Kang-yong wears a black suit to attend the inauguration meeting of Chiang Wanan's campaign headquarters, it will not change China's political characterization of him. China's political demands on Taiwanese artists will only become more subdued: "I want you to kneel when you stand, and I want you to lick them when you kneel, and throw them away after licking them!"
The Chinese Communist Party has strongly intervened in the Taipei mayoral election. After Tsai Kang-yong attended the founding meeting of Shen Boyang’s presidential campaign on October 4, the media account "Beijing Time" under Beijing Radio and Television Station first published an article criticizing "dirty" and defining it as a platform for "Taiwan independence" people. He also questioned Cai Kangyong's explanation of the reason for attending by "come and see it" in an attempt to avoid his political stance.
On the other hand, the new media account "Jun Zhengping" managed by the People's Liberation Army News and Communication Center of the Chinese Communist Party wrote an article, saying, "Taiwan independence forces are the mortal enemies of the Chinese people, and Taiwan independence elements are the scum of the nation. Some people try to use words to confuse right and wrong, and while making mainland dividends, they flirt with Taiwan independence. Sooner or later, they will weld themselves to the pillar of historical shame and pay an unbearable price."
China's Taiwan Affairs Office further announced on the 14th that it would punish independence and sanction the company owned by Shen Boyang's father, banning it from trading and cooperating with Chinese organizations, companies and individuals. Chen Binhua, spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, scolded Tsai Kang-yong, saying that no one or any force can earn dividends from mainland development while colluding with "Taiwan independence" separatist forces and acting as a "two-faced man."
It is worth noting that China’s official media have recently vigorously publicized the statement of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council. "Xinhua News Agency" used "Tsai Kangyong appeared at Shen Boyang's election event and the Taiwan Affairs Office responded" as the news headline; the Chinese Communist Party's official media "People's Daily" reported "The Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council: There is no room for ambiguity on major issues of right and wrong" as the news angle; China News Service even published "Response to Tsai Kangyong-related hot topics" The Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council stated that there is no room for ambiguity in matters of right and wrong" and "The Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council responded to Cai Kangyong's appearance at Shen Boyang's campaign venue".
Former Global Times editor-in-chief Hu Xijin also criticized Cai Kangyong's attendance at Shen Boyang's campaign as "taking the initiative to stir up trouble" and "violating a taboo." Taiwanese artists and businessmen who claim to be developing in China should not try to maintain the benefits of two political stances at the same time, and believe that Tsai should bear the relevant consequences on her own.
Tsai Kang-yong issued a document on the 15th confirming that he will attend the opening event of Taipei Mayor Chiang Wanan’s campaign headquarters on the 26th. He humorously said, "In view of the sudden pursuit of dignity and solemnity in dress and appearance in the political arena recently, Kang Yong will wear a black suit to show his respect."
In this regard, Hong Puzhao, director of the Global Strategy and Democratic Resilience Research Center at Taipei City University, said in an interview today that even if Tsai Kang-yong wears a black suit to attend the inauguration meeting of Chiang Wanan’s campaign headquarters, it will not change China’s political characterization of him. China has identified his attendance at Shen Boyang's election campaign as touching a political red line for Taiwan independence.
Hong Puzhao criticized that China's political demands on Taiwanese artists will only dig deep into the soil, "If you stand, they will kneel, if you kneel, they will lick them, and then throw them away after licking them." Today, Cai Kangyong is asked to explain why he attended Shen Boyang's event. Tomorrow, he can be asked to publicly cut off or even express his stance on China's political views. Accepting China's censorship of Taiwanese artists' political activities is tantamount to handing over the right to determine political loyalty to China. It is entirely up to China to decide how far it will go in the future to be considered a pass.
Hong Puzhao analyzed that what China wants is for Tsai Kangyong to make a public statement and then use his statement for political consumption. Even if he attends Jiang Wanan's campaign event, China will still require him to account for his previous attendance at Shen Boyang's event. Once Tsai Kangyong publicly cuts off, China will use his statement as political propaganda material, claiming that the pressure is effective, and there is no guarantee as to whether business cooperation can be resumed. China's political requirements are very clear. If you want to make money in the Chinese market, you must accept China's political rules. Even the freedom to participate in Taiwan's democratic elections must be censored.
"Of course China will continue to use tactics, and there will not be only one method!" Hong Puzhao concluded that Tsai Kang-yong is just a case used by China to warn Taiwanese society. In the future, it will also use political criticism, economic sanctions and legal intimidation to adopt customized pressure methods for different targets. China wants Taiwanese people, businesses and people from all walks of life to consider China's political red lines before participating in political activities, creating pressure for self-censorship. Creating a warning effect through individual cases and extending political censorship to the entire Taiwanese society is also China's way of intervening in Taiwan's elections.
Hong Pu-chao emphasized that the Taiwanese people are free to participate in activities and support political opinions. There is no need to explain to China, nor do they need to publicly express their stance in exchange for China's political approval.
