A Chinese Communist Party (CCP) military-affiliated media outlet has issued a warning apparently targeting Taiwanese television host Tsai Kang-yung after he attended a campaign event for Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Taipei mayoral candidate Shen Po-yang.
The commentary, published Oct. 6 by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA)-affiliated Junzhengping Studio, warned that public figures who profit from mainland China while associating with supporters of Taiwan independence would eventually “pay a price they cannot afford.”
Taiwanese national security officials described the intervention as highly unusual, warning that Beijing’s efforts to influence Taiwan’s elections had escalated to what they characterized as a “military-level” operation, according to Taiwan’s Central News Agency (CNA).
Chinese military media issues warning
The controversy began after Tsai attended the Oct. 4 opening of Shen’s campaign headquarters in Taipei. Although Tsai did not publicly endorse Shen, his appearance drew criticism from Chinese social media users and businesses.
On Oct. 6, Junzhengping Studio published a commentary referring to “a Taiwanese public figure” who had appeared in support of Shen, whom Beijing considers a Taiwan independence hardliner.
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“Not everything leaves room for ambiguity. On the major issue of ‘Taiwan independence,’ there is no room for ambiguity, and no one is allowed to sit on the fence, waver with the prevailing winds, or change positions opportunistically,” the commentary stated, according to CNA.
The outlet accused some public figures of attempting to obscure their political positions while “profiting from the mainland while simultaneously flirting with ‘Taiwan independence,’” warning that they would ultimately “pay a price they cannot afford.”
The intervention marked a significant departure from previous controversies involving Taiwanese entertainers. Such disputes have generally been handled by Beijing’s Taiwan Affairs Office or state-controlled outlets, including People’s Daily and Global Times.
This time, however, the warning came from a media platform associated with the PLA, which typically addresses military exercises, strategic confrontations, and other national security matters.
Taiwanese security officials told CNA that Beijing’s decision to involve military media suggested it was increasingly treating Taiwan’s democratic elections as a national security confrontation.
Taiwan warns of intimidation and political self-censorship
Taiwanese national security officials identified two major implications of the military media’s involvement.
First, they said Beijing appeared to be treating democratic elections as an “enemy-versus-friend confrontation involving national defense and national security,” effectively elevating electoral interference to the military level.
Second, officials warned that military-backed threats could intimidate Taiwanese entertainers, businesspeople, and other prominent figures as local elections approach.
According to CNA’s Oct. 7 report, officials believe Beijing is attempting to create a chilling effect by pressuring Taiwanese citizens to distance themselves from political parties and candidates opposed by the CCP or risk economic and political retaliation.
They said the tactics could undermine Taiwan’s democratic institutions while damaging normal cultural and commercial exchanges across the Taiwan Strait.
Officials also warned that Beijing was increasingly combining political pressure, psychological warfare, and social media campaigns to influence Taiwanese public opinion.
Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) similarly cautioned that attempted interference would likely intensify as elections approach.
Speaking at the Legislative Yuan on Oct. 6, MAC Chairman Chiu Chui-cheng warned that Taiwanese entertainers working in China could lose their commercial interests if their political positions differed from Beijing’s.
Speaking at the Legislative Yuan on Oct. 6, MAC Chairman Chiu Chui-cheng warned that Taiwanese entertainers working in China could lose their commercial interests if their political positions differed from Beijing’s. The incident demonstrated the risks of pursuing careers in mainland China, Chiu said, according to Mirror Media
Chiu stressed that Taiwanese citizens do not require Beijing’s approval to participate in democratic elections.
Chiu urged Beijing to respect Taiwan’s democratic way of life and refrain from interfering in its elections, warning that such interference would do nothing to improve cross-Strait relations, according to United Daily News.
The controversy has also raised security concerns. On Oct. 8, Taiwan’s Executive Yuan confirmed that police had been instructed to assess potential threats and maintain contact with Tsai, taking appropriate protective measures when necessary, according to CNA.
Chinese businesses distance themselves as Taiwan’s politicians respond
Tsai’s appearance at Shen’s campaign event quickly became a trending topic on China’s Weibo platform.
Tsai, who has built a substantial entertainment career in mainland China, told reporters that he attended because he wanted to “come and see what it was like” and “hear the views of different sides.”
His agent explained that the visit was preliminary research for possible interviews with Taipei’s mayoral candidates.
According to BBC News Chinese, Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Leapmotor subsequently distanced itself from Tsai, removed promotional material involving him, and reiterated its opposition to Taiwan independence.
The company also reserved the right to pursue legal action. Fashion magazine Harper’s Bazaar reportedly removed a September interview with Tsai.
Content on Tsai’s Weibo account, which had approximately 36 million followers, was also found to have been deleted. However, the BBC noted that the account had previously been cleared in 2022, making it unclear whether the deletion was connected to the latest controversy.
The backlash drew criticism from politicians across Taiwan’s political spectrum.
Shen defended Tsai’s right to attend campaign events and hear different political perspectives.
Incumbent Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an of the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) also urged Beijing to respect Taiwan’s democratic freedoms.
“Everyone is free to participate in political activities. I think this is a value we all insist on protecting. This is the true meaning of democracy,” Chiang said, according to CNA.
Chiang also invited Tsai to attend his campaign headquarters opening. Tsai subsequently responded that he would be happy to attend if he received a formal invitation.
However, KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wen questioned whether Tsai had considered the potential financial consequences of his appearance.
“You [Tsai Kang-yung] have developed your career in mainland China for so long and have such enormous commercial interests there. Do you really want to give all of that up?” Cheng said, according to Newtalk.
Her remarks drew criticism from politicians who accused her of prioritizing commercial interests over democratic freedoms.
New Power Party Chairwoman Wang Wan-yu argued that Cheng had “inadvertently spoken the plain truth in her heart: China’s market interests are more important than Taiwan’s democracy and freedom.”
In comments reported by Newtalk, Wang defended Tsai’s participation in the democratic process, saying that attending an election event was an ordinary exercise of political freedom.
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