The Chinese Communist Taiwan Affairs Office announced today (15th) that it will implement “disciplinary legal measures” against five Taiwanese political commentators including Li Zhenghao and Yu Beichen. The reactions of these commentators have attracted considerable attention. Li Zhenghao responded by calling it a “glorious sanction” while Yu Beichen referred to it as the “highest honor medal”.
Taiwan’s President-elect Lai Ching-te is scheduled to be inaugurated next Monday (the 20th). The spokesperson for the Chinese Communist Taiwan Affairs Office, Chen Binhua, specifically named Huang Shicong, Li Zhenghao, Wang Yichuan, Yu Beichen, and Liu Baojie, accusing them of deliberately fabricating false and negative information about the Chinese Communist Party and spreading it through the media to deceive some Taiwanese people, inciting hostility between the two sides. The Chinese Communist Party will take disciplinary action, even threatening to “wait and see”.
In response, Li Zhenghao, who was named by the Taiwan Affairs Office, stated, “None of my fellow New Taiwan Faction members need to envy me. Being honored with this sanction before May 20th, I did not exert pressure, nor did I have any privilege. This sanction is solely based on the performance of my program.” He even included a self-made dialogue screenshot signed “Chen Binhua” to mock the situation.
Li Zhenghao also humorously mentioned his friend Wang Yichuan (not a commentator but a political figure), saying, “As for the part where Wang Yichuan is also sanctioned, this person doesn’t have much contribution and doesn’t understand cross-strait relations well. It’s suggested to replace him with Fan Shih-ping or Chen Po-wei, which would be more reasonable.”
Yu Beichen, a Taoyuan City councilor and reserve major, stated, “Early in the morning, I received the greatest honor badge – ‘the Fake Taiwan Affairs Office’ finally issued a blacklist notice to me! Actually, there’s no need to inform me (because you are unworthy). If China does not implement freedom and democracy, I will never set foot on Chinese territory in my lifetime! Thanks for the ‘enemy’s’ recognition; I will remain firm in anti-Communism and love Taiwan forever!”
Veteran media person Huang Shicong also responded, stating, “I am listed as the number one target! Today, the most asked question to me was whether I’m afraid of being listed in the sanction list… and as the number one.” However, he had to say, “As a media person, being criticized or sued is common, but being listed on a government sanction list is a first!”
He emphasized that if one is sanctioned for speaking the truth or reporting what China does not want to see, it can only mean, “Fortunately, we are in Taiwan.” He hopes that Taiwanese people will cherish freedom of speech more and be willing to pay the necessary price to protect it. He assured everyone that he is fine as usual, and will keep criticizing all parties without hesitation.
According to CNA, Wang Yichuan responded, saying, “He is not the first, nor will he be the last. The Taiwan Affairs Office’s labeling and divisive practices are destroying cross-strait relations.” He pointed out the contradictions across the strait, on one hand saying “welcome to dialogue” but directly targeting Taiwanese freedom of speech, which is not helpful for cross-strait relations. He also suggested that the Chinese Communist Taiwan Affairs Office should introspect deeply and not undermine the goodwill of cross-strait relations.
Furthermore, political commentator Liu Baojie will respond through his affiliated television station on tonight’s program “Critical Moments”.