Government/Politics - 8. page

{Below is a partial translation of an article by Voice of America (VOA) regarding a statement by Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te on the CCP’s coercion of artists into supporting unification of Taiwan with mainland China.}

After Taiwan’s newly elected President Lai Ching-te spoke about “mutual non-subordination across the Taiwan Strait” in his inauguration speech, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) launched an exercise in military harassment. It also organized a round of propaganda campaigning, forcing Taiwanese artists to express on Chinese social media site Weibo that they support the CCP’s unification of Taiwan with mainland China and oppose Taiwanese independence. Many Taiwanese celebrities who are developing their careers in mainland China had to post content such as “Taiwan independence is a dead end” and “Taiwan will inevitably return (to the mainland).” Those who did not make such posts in time were named and shamed by the “fifty-cent army” or the Chinese public, facing the threat of the “iron fist of socialism.”

Facing this situation, Lai Ching-te made a rare public statement. He said that this was not the first time, and would likely not be the last time, that Taiwanese cultural workers have been forced to make political statements in China. He said that every time Taiwanese cultural workers face pressure under another’s roof, he feels very distressed. He expressed his hopes that the Taiwanese public would understand that what these cultural workers say under such circumstances is one thing and what they (really) think in their hearts is another thing. He said what they feel in their hearts is more important; they should be given understanding and empathy.

Lai Ching-te’s speech garnered praise from many mainland Chinese netizens who bypassed the firewall on the X platform and commented in simplified Chinese. Some said that the Taiwanese president’s statement immediately made them into fans, and some noted the stark contrast between democracy and autocracy. Some remarked that the current Taiwanese government not only has a high Emotional Quotient (EQ) but also high Intelligence Quotient (IQ), making Beijing’s actions look petty in comparison. Some even praised Lai Ching-te’s move as a masterstroke, leaving the CCP unable to respond.

Source: VOA, May 26, 2024
https://www.voachinese.com/a/china-pressuring-taiwanese-entertainers-into-making-political-statements-20240526/7627359.html

Guangming Daily published an article saying that it is important for China to build its own international communications platforms.

“With the advancement of technology, international communication now presents a new characteristic: “platformization.” It is transitioning from “individual content going overseas” to “communication platforms going overseas.” International communication is entering an era of platformization. The core of the success or failure of international communication in this era of platformization lies in the ability to control the communication platforms. However, current international communication platforms are in a state of monopoly [by Western powers] and opposition [to China]. Western countries (led by the U.S.) are monopolizing communication platforms through technological advantages and are thus able to wield so-called “hostile” communication platforms to gain advantages in political discourse. This puts other countries in a situation where they have no platforms to use. Thus, the creation of such communications platforms is an important facet of [China’s plan to] build international communications capabilities. [Such Chinese-built platforms] would provide an important means to break through Western platform monopolies and through opposition from Western platforms. It is evident that the enhancement of cultural soft power relies on the support of international communication platforms.”

Source: Guangming Daily, May 13, 2024
https://theory.gmw.cn/2024-05/13/content_37319725.htm

At the routine Chinese Foreign Ministry press conference on April 30, a reporter asked: “It is reported that recently, the two factions of Fatah and Hamas in Palestine held consultations in Beijing on internal reconciliation. Could the spokesperson provide some detailed information?”

Lin Jian, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, answered: At China’s invitation, representatives of the Palestinian National Liberation Movement (Fatah) and the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) came to Beijing for consultations, engaging in in-depth and candid dialogue on promoting internal reconciliation in Palestine. Both sides fully expressed their political willingness to achieve reconciliation through dialogue and consultation. They discussed various specific issues and made positive progress, unanimously agreeing to continue the dialogue process, striving to achieve Palestinian unity at an early date. Both sides highly appreciated China’s firm support for the just cause of the Palestinian people to restore their legitimate national rights, thanked China for its efforts to strengthen internal unity in Palestine, and reached consensus on the next steps of the dialogue.

Source: Xinhua, April 30, 2024
http://www.news.cn/world/20240430/bfde49d416f24425ac17ef41a188b193/c.html