Taiwan’s National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) was hit by a bomb threat on Tuesday, April 7. The school’s student affairs office email received a threatening message sent from an overseas IP address, claiming that explosives would be detonated in an attempt to stop the screening of the film State Organs. After police were called, no abnormalities were found during inspection.
According to Formosa TV News, NCKU Vice President Li Junzhang told the media on April 8 that at 11:50 a.m. on April 7, the student affairs office email received a message demanding that student groups stop the screening of State Organs at the International Conference Hall on May 7, warning that if the screening was not halted, explosives planted on campus would be detonated. The school immediately reported the case to police, who dispatched officers to investigate.
Reports say that after receiving the alert, police sent criminal investigation officers equipped with specialized detection tools to the campus. Starting at 3 p.m., police and school security personnel conducted a comprehensive sweep of suspected areas including teaching buildings and activity centers. By 4:30 p.m., they confirmed that no dangerous objects were found.
Threat email traced to overseas IP
According to the Central News Agency (CNA), President Li Junzhang said that the past two days were an inter-school activity week and classes were suspended. The school issued a campus-wide notice urging vigilance for any unusual activity. Li said student groups screen State Organs at least twice a year and invite commentators for discussion, and the school maintains a cautious and respectful stance. He added that similar incidents have occurred at least six or seven times, mostly related to screenings of State Organs.
Li stated that student groups are currently discussing whether to screen the film again in May, and the school will respect their decision. He also revealed that student groups had previously received similar threats when screening the film, so campus security and stationed police will increase patrols before and after screenings.
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Preliminary investigations found that the email originated from outside Taiwan, and NCKU’s internal investigation suggests the IP address may be located in Hong Kong.
Death threats create publicity effect
Public information shows that State Organs is a Canadian documentary focusing on organ transplant practices in the People’s Republic of China. Director Raymond Zhang Yongjin spent seven years filming it. Because all victims were killed and the alleged crimes took place in China—where evidence has been largely destroyed—verification was extremely difficult. However, a small number of participants came forward to testify. Early victims of forced organ harvesting were reportedly detained Falun Gong practitioners in China.
The film has won several awards, including Best Director and Best Music at the 2023 Canadian Leo Awards, the 2024 U.S. Golden Medal Film Competition Award, the 2024 Art Film Spirit Award, and Best Human Rights Documentary at the Manhattan Film Festival. It was also shortlisted for the Montreal Independent Film Festival and the European Theatre Film Festival. It competed for the 2025 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature but was ultimately not shortlisted.
After its release in Taiwan in October 2024, cinemas across the country repeatedly received bomb threats and messages claiming attacks. Police continued receiving reports and increased patrols while investigating IP addresses. Preliminary assessments suggested the harassment was a tactic commonly used by Chinese state-linked cyber units operating overseas. However, these threats instead sparked public attention to alleged forced organ harvesting abuses, leading to organized screenings in support across Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan, Taichung, Tainan, Kaohsiung, Keelung, and Changhua.
Director Zhang Yongjin said: “From what I have seen in Taiwan through the media response, audience reaction, cinemas, and various government agencies including the police, I have full confidence in Taiwan’s freedom and democracy.”
He added: “The death threats actually had a major promotional effect on the film.” Many Taiwanese people were angered, feeling that Taiwan’s freedom and democracy should not be influenced or interfered with by external forces. As a result, more people came out in support, including government officials, cinemas, media, and the public. He also heard that some well-known Taiwanese directors helped recommend the film, which he found very encouraging.