Taiwanese internet celebrity “Porter King” (Chen Jiajin) recently revealed that 10 groups of Taiwanese influencers are expected to be invited to mainland China for filming, as the Chinese Communist Party aims to engage in “cultural united front” through financial means. Singer He Yiqi disclosed on Facebook on the 13th that she received a similar invitation but promptly declined, expressing concerns about the potential consequences.
He Yiqi, the daughter of veteran singer Zheng Xiuyue, successfully released the album “Black and White World” in 2006 and is the lead singer of the band “Super Lovely Band.” Known for sharing her life and current events on social media, He Yiqi shared that the invitation she received requested Taiwanese Key Opinion Consumers (KOCs) who have a strong presence in China, particularly those who often comment on current affairs.
Before the disclosure by “Porter King,” Taiwanese influencer Zhong Mingxuan traveled to China alone in February to film content promoting the safety and normalcy of life in China. This move led to controversy due to the stark contrast with his previous remarks.
He Yiqi speculated that she was targeted for the invitation due to her previous defense of Zhong Mingxuan when he faced criticism online. She emphasized the importance of experiencing and understanding a situation before forming opinions and expressed her disapproval of being used as a mere tool in promoting a specific narrative.
The invitation He Yiqi received outlined a simple job description focused on introducing Chinese customs, cultural differences between both sides of the strait, and similar topics. While initially enticed by the opportunity to have fun, earn money, and have a full wallet, she ultimately refused, recognizing the risk of losing autonomy and becoming a tool for others’ agendas.
In a self-deprecating manner, He Yiqi joked about her knee issues preventing her from accepting such invitations, humorously stating that she would risk self-injury if she were to kneel down. She concluded that even if she refuses such opportunities, there will always be others willing to accept them.
In another development, “Porter King” shared on his Facebook page that reliable sources indicated that starting in late July, there are plans for multiple Taiwanese influencers to visit China for filming. The event is hosted by the Taiwan Strait Youth Association, offering free travel and accommodations under the guise of promoting cross-strait youth cultural exchange.
Despite the positive aspects of healthy cross-strait exchanges, concerns have arisen about potential “cultural united front” tactics employed by the Chinese Communist Party targeting Taiwan. The Taiwanese Executive Yuan responded on the 13th, expressing reservations about the potential ulterior motives behind certain cross-strait interactions involving cultural exchange events.