The Chinese mainland drama “Chasing Jade,” starring Zhang Linghe, had his application to visit Taiwan rejected, with the Chinese Taiwan Affairs Office protesting that this act “harms cultural exchanges between the two sides of the strait.” In response, Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council pointed out that Zhang Linghe had repeatedly posted content belittling Taiwan’s status, and his purpose for applying to come to Taiwan was also unclear, leading to the decision to not approve the application.
The spokesperson for the Chinese Taiwan Affairs Office, Zhang Han, stated in a routine press conference today (October 21) that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government’s refusal to allow mainland Chinese performing artists to visit Taiwan for exchanges “damages cultural exchanges between the two sides of the strait” and urged to “reject political manipulation and lift unreasonable restrictions.”
The Mainland Affairs Council of Taiwan stated today that they welcome artists from across the strait to visit Taiwan for exchanges, but there should be no pro-unification undertones. Zhang Linghe had previously posted content belittling Taiwan’s status and had been deliberately arranged by the mainland to speak at the united front platform of the Strait Forum. The purpose of his application to come to Taiwan was also unclear and thus was not approved.
The Mainland Affairs Council emphasized that while the Chinese Taiwan Affairs Office criticizes Taiwan for political manipulation, recent incidents involving Cai Kangyong and comedian Huang Yihao being rammed by a car and their performance venue being vandalized raise questions about who is actually suppressing or even intimidating artists for political purposes, and the public can judge for themselves.
Prominent Taiwanese host Cai Kangyong was recently criticized by the Chinese Taiwan Affairs Office for attending the founding ceremony of Taipei mayoral candidate Shen Boyang’s campaign headquarters, stating that “no one or force can profit from mainland development while colluding with forces seeking Taiwan independence, being two-faced.” The Mainland Affairs Council of Taiwan responded that such criticisms only create more harm, with harsh criticisms resulting in stronger backlash.
Taiwanese comedian Huang Yihao previously performed a sketch at the Comedy Club in Camigel mocking Xi Jinping. In May of this year, the Camigel Comedy Club was vandalized with feces and paint. The Taipei District Prosecutors Office found that mainland Chinese individuals used cross-border suppression methods to incite two men to commit these acts. In September, just before his performance, Huang Yihao was hit by a vehicle near his residence in New Taipei City. The New Taipei District Prosecutors Office found that individuals associated with the Chinese mainland were involved in instigating local individuals to stop the performance and had initially intended to make him lose limbs, but stopped upon hearing his screams. They have charged 5 individuals with attempted serious injury and sought heavy penalties.
The Mainland Affairs Council stated today that the New Taipei District Prosecutors Office has concluded the investigation into foreign individuals who orchestrated a fake car accident injury case and have brought charges against 5 defendants. The Mainland Affairs Council harshly condemned the mainland’s alleged use of violence to suppress the Taiwanese people across borders. China not only cannot tolerate dissent within its own borders but also does not allow any political criticism anywhere outside of mainland China. What is even more shameful is the use of cross-border suppression methods to harm Taiwanese people, attempting to suppress Taiwan’s freedom of speech, which seriously challenges Taiwan’s democratic rule of law.
The Mainland Affairs Council emphasized that the government solemnly warns that anyone who accepts instructions, commissions, or inducements from the Chinese Communist Party or its collaborators to participate in or assist in cross-border suppression will be held accountable and pursued to the fullest extent of the law, without leniency! The Mainland Affairs Council reiterated that the government will continue to strengthen inter-agency cooperation and relevant legislation to firmly protect the safety and freedom of speech of the people from the intimidation, harassment, harm, or coercion by hostile foreign forces, to ensure national security and the rights of the people.