Entertainers with pro-Taiwanese independence “thoughts” should be “ashamed” to work in China, actress Lily Tien (田麗) told the Chinese-language Apple Daily yesterday, refusing to back down from social media posts that accused model and actress Lin Chi-ling (林志玲) of being a supporter of Taiwanese independence.
On Monday, Tien shared an article titled “Pro-Independence Lin Chi-ling is the Real Problem” on Chinese social media, following controversy over a purported pro-independence stance by Taiwanese actor Leon Dai (戴立忍).
Tien said Lin should clarify whether she supports Taiwanese independence, adding that the media should “go ask her” for answers.
“It is a matter of fact that [Lin] cannot deny her relatives are supporters of the Democratic Progressive Party... If you really harbor such thoughts, do not come here. You should be ashamed to make money in neidi,” Tien said.
Neidi (內地), which means “the interior” in Mandarin, has been used by Chinese and China-based Taiwanese artists to refer to China.
Tien said she did not feel sympathy for Dai, who early last month was the subject of a public furor in China, despite saying on two occasions that he does not support Taiwanese independence
“You cannot criticize the people of neidi and take jobs here,” Tien said.
Tien said that she is “a Taiwanese entertainer, but not pro-Taiwanese independence” and that she “highly supports” the so-called “declaration of anti-splittism,” a document rumored to be in the works in Beijing that Taiwanese entertainers would be required to sign before working in China, because “Taiwan and neidi should coexist peacefully, and Taiwan should not provoke anything.”
Tien, 49, received the Golden Bell Award for best actress in 2002 and is the ex-wife of People First Party Chairman James Soong’s (宋楚瑜) brother-in-law.
In recent years, Tien’s career has mostly been based in China and she is now married to a Chinese actor.
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