The Chinese Communist Party’s Taiwan Affairs Office has targeted five political commentators in Taiwan for “disciplinary action,” sparking widespread backlash and resistance among the Taiwanese people. The move is seen as a way to further alienate the majority of Taiwanese citizens. Many commentators in Taiwan have reacted with jubilation, with some feeling slighted for not being included in the list.
The spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the Chinese Communist Party, Chen Binhua, named five Taiwanese “pundits” on the 15th, including Huang Shicong, Li Zhenghao, Wang Yichuan, Yu Beichen, and Liu Baojie, accusing them of “fomenting cross-strait opposition” and threatening to take disciplinary action against them and their families.
Yatabe Akio, the Taipei bureau chief of Japan’s Sankei Shimbun, expressed on Facebook that the Chinese Communist Party’s Taiwan Affairs Office announced the “disciplinary action” against these five Taiwanese pundits. None of the five individuals named on the 15th are strong advocates for Taiwan independence. They occasionally criticize the Chinese government or the chaos in China. Because of their humorous, logical, and persuasive speech, they have had influence in Taiwan, which has made them targets of the Chinese Communist Party.
Yatabe Akio stated that even if some in Taiwan may not agree with their opinions, they generally do not find them objectionable. If they are sanctioned for their speech, it will likely push the majority of Taiwanese people further towards opposition to the Chinese Communist Party. The sentiment among many may be “China is too lacking in confidence” and “we should never unify with China in the future.” The Taiwanese internet witnessed a wave of celebration on the 15th. Many pro-Taiwan pundits felt that it was an embarrassment and unfair that they were not selected by the Taiwan Affairs Office.
Wang Rui-de, a veteran media figure in Taiwan, cried out on the program “Taiwan Moving Forward” that it was unfair, asking, “Why wasn’t I included?” He revealed his intention to report the Taiwan Affairs Office spokesman, Chen Bin-hua, for violating the Republic of China’s laws on internal turmoil and external threats, making Chen Bin-hua a perpetual wanted criminal in the Republic of China.
Yatabe Akio noted that many individuals have expressed their determination to “strive to be included in the next batch of names.” He has been approached by numerous media outlets asking for his thoughts on not being included on the list. Yatabe Akio explained that as a long-time Japanese journalist covering China-related issues, he was named as “foreign hostile forces” by the then Director-General of the Information Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lu Kang, in 2016, eight years before these five were named. He is pleased to see the growing ranks of those defending freedom and democracy.
Retired ROC Major General and Taoyuan City Councilor Yu Beichen stated on Facebook on the 15th that he received the greatest honor early in the morning – “the fake Taiwan Affairs Office of the bandits” finally issued a blacklist notification to him! “Actually, you don’t need to notify me (because you’re not worthy). If China does not practice freedom and democracy, I will never step foot on Chinese territory in my lifetime!” He thanked the “enemy” for the recognition, saying, “I will be more determined to oppose the Communist Party and love Taiwan! Forever!”
ROC Minister of the Interior Lin Youchang stated through a press release that the irrational statements made by the Chinese Communist Party are absolutely unacceptable and deeply repugnant to the Taiwanese people.
Lin Youchang pointed out that the Republic of China Taiwan is a country of freedom, democracy, and rule of law, and will never tolerate any threats to the freedom of speech and personal safety of its citizens. He has requested the National Police Agency to enhance attention to the personal and familial safety of the five pundits in their jurisdictions.