Taiwan’s Cultural Content and Creative Industries Agency (TAICCA) recently announced its new board member list, appointing entertainer Lin Chi-ling, music producer Liu Si-ming, and Golden Horse Award-winning actress Chen Shiang-chyi as board members, drawing attention from the arts community and online public opinion.
Among them, Lin Chi-ling once reposted phrases such as “Magnificent rivers and mountains, prosperous China” under content related to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, once again becoming a focus of public discussion. The Taiwanese media community and policy makers have questioned whether she is suitable for a public role with cultural policy implications.
Responding to concerns over Lin Chi-ling’s past remarks in the Chinese market, TAICCA Chairperson Wang Shih-szu acknowledged that Taiwan’s film and television workers have long faced pressure from international geopolitics and market realities. She said Lin’s personal experience actually reflects the difficult circumstances once collectively faced by Taiwan’s entertainment industry. Wang believes Taiwan should use these experiences to reconsider its international position and prepare for future markets.
Internationalization of Taiwan’s media
In recent years, TAICCA has actively promoted the internationalization of Taiwan’s film, television, publishing, and cultural creative industries, hoping to enhance the competitiveness of Taiwan’s content industries through cross-sector cooperation and market resource integration. The announcement of the new board members has once again sparked debate over the public role of entertainers, cultural policy, and cross-strait market relations.
Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council Deputy Minister and spokesperson Liang Wen-chieh also stated that the Ministry of Culture believes Lin Chi-ling’s appointment as a TAICCA board member meets policy needs, and that the Mainland Affairs Council respects the Ministry of Culture’s authority on the matter, Economic Daily News reported.
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He further emphasized that if entertainers “want to distance themselves from China and return to Taiwan” and “work for Taiwan,” then as fellow Taiwanese, “there is no reason not to welcome them.”
In response, Taiwan’s Executive Yuan stated on May 14th that the government hopes more Taiwanese entertainers and cultural workers will participate in promoting cultural content and help bring Taiwanese works to the international stage.
Politicalization of remarks
According to the Liberty Times, Executive Yuan spokesperson Li Hui-chih said the Ministry of Culture has in recent years continued monitoring remarks made by Taiwanese entertainers working in China. Last year, Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council provided a list of several entertainers to the Ministry of Culture for further review and understanding.
Li Hui-chih revealed that Culture Minister Li Yuan had written letters to Taiwanese entertainers developing their careers in China and received many responses. Some entertainers admitted facing considerable pressure while working in China, while others said they had not fully understood the implications of certain political statements. She said the government hopes arts and cultural workers can continue showcasing Taiwan’s cultural strength on the international stage and welcomes more creators to return to Taiwan for development.
The personnel appointment has also sparked differing opinions within Taiwan’s arts and cultural circles. Supporters argue that Lin Chi-ling has long been active in the Asian entertainment market and possesses international recognition and cross-border exchange experience, which could help raise the overseas visibility of Taiwan’s cultural content.
However, some commentators believe that because TAICCA is responsible for promoting Taiwan’s national cultural brand and content industry policies, the selection of board members involves not only professional qualifications but also public image and social perception, meaning the controversy surrounding the appointment is bound to face scrutiny.