Recent criticisms from Chinese military official media “Junzhengping” targeted host Cai Kangyong and implicated Wang Linglin, chairman of the Eastern Media Group, as well as ETtoday News Cloud, according to Chinese media accounts. Analysts in Taiwan’s national security sector believe that Beijing is expanding its targeted pressure beyond artists to media operators, seeking both political loyalty and intervention in media coverage to achieve the twin goals of “domestic political stability and interference in Taiwan’s elections.”
According to reports from the Central News Agency, national security sources in Taiwan have pointed out that as local elections in Taiwan approach, Beijing is employing a new pattern of pressure on Taiwan, no longer limited to political figures, but extending to artists and media operators with businesses in China. Anyone who contacts individuals identified as promoting “Taiwan independence” or publishes content not aligned with Beijing’s intentions may face public intimidation.
National security personnel explain that on the evening of October 6, the “Junzhengping Studio,” a commentary account under the People’s Liberation Army News Communication Centers, unusually criticized Cai Kangyong for attending the establishment event of the Democratic Progressive Party’s Taipei mayoral candidate Shen Boyang’s campaign headquarters. The account accused Cai Kangyong of “profiting from the mainland while hinting at ‘Taiwan independence'” and warned of facing a “cost that would be hard to bear.”
They further emphasize that “Junzhengping” has previously focused mainly on topics related to Taiwan Strait military exercises and military deterrence. This time, the unusual move into the realm of culture and entertainment is meant to draw political red lines for public figures in Taiwan who have connections to the Chinese market.
National security sources point out that Cai Kangyong did not make a speech that day, nor openly express support for Shen Boyang. He only expressed a willingness to listen to different voices and understand different candidates. However, the Chinese military official media interpreted this as taking a stand for “Taiwan independence.”
On the other hand, a media account on the Chinese TikTok platform, “Haixiafengdu,” published an article on the same day titled “Why is ‘ETtoday News Cloud,’ controlled by Wang Linglin, so pro-green?” It detailed Wang Linglin’s experiences, including visiting China to pay respects to ancestors, making charitable donations for education, and participating in cross-strait exchanges, and then accused ETtoday of whitewashing Shen Boyang, Cai Kangyong, and Democratic Progressive Party politicians, even demanding a “major overhaul” of the editorial team.
In analyzing these two events occurring on the same day, national security experts suggest that Beijing is attempting to exert pressure on Taiwanese artists, businesses, and media through the Chinese market and commercial interests. Figures like Cai Kangyong wield social influence in China, and if they demonstrate a stance contrary to official Chinese positions, it could prompt internal discussions within the Chinese leadership. Therefore, Beijing has chosen to issue public warnings with the dual objectives of internal stability and interference in Taiwan’s elections.
National security experts mention that domestic media had previously described “Junzhengping” as “unsheathing the blade,” suggesting that Cai Kangyong could face a “double death” politically and socially in China. While the subsequent follow-up article aligning with Beijing’s narrative has been removed, the fact that some media in Taiwan, despite the nation’s internationally admired freedom of speech, collaborated to harm the freedom of expression of its people at the behest of the Chinese Communist Party, thereby undermining democracy, should be strongly condemned by all sectors.
They stress that this year marks the 30th anniversary of Taiwan’s direct presidential elections, and people should not bow to Beijing’s intimidation or be influenced by political red lines imposed by the Chinese Communist Party. Protecting freedom of speech and democratic institutions is crucial to prevent Beijing from achieving its objectives of “domestic stability and interference in Taiwan’s elections.”