Unite against foreign coercion
The Chinese National Radio and Television Administration recently asked Taiwanese band Mayday to publicly voice support for Beijing’s “one China” principle and acknowledge that “Taiwan is part of China,” according to an internal Taiwanese security memo reviewed by Reuters. Reuters reported that China would be “conducting an investigation” on the rock band. This is a maneuver echoing the Chinese Internet users’ accusation of the lead singer Ashin (阿信) of “lip-syncing.”
There is nothing new with this latest incident, which is a continuation of China’s old tactics of manipulation and another repeat of its playbook to pressure Taiwan.
The Kuma Academy (黑熊學院) once said that for Taiwanese artists who wish to advance their careers in China, Beijing would at first allow their careers to grow, but once things started taking off and they started relying on the Chinese market for their income and popularity, Beijing would pressure the entertainers to support the “one China principle,” or have them say that “China is not complete without Taiwan.”
If the artists do not comply, the Chinese government would launch a media campaign lambasting the artists’ characters or initiate an investigation into their financial situation, as was the case with Hon Hai Precision Industry Co founder Terry Gou (郭台銘) when he threw his hat in to run for president. Finally, they would pin the artists with “crime” or “misconduct.” As Taiwanese citizens got fatigued with these tricks, the Chinese government achieved its goal with its actions.
The only one at fault here is the Chinese government.
There is nothing wrong with artists wishing to promote their work or seeking a breakthrough in their careers. What we should be condemning is the Chinese government using bullying and coercion to manipulate artists’ dreams in the service of Beijing’s malicious strategic objectives.
No one should be subjected to this kind of interference. Yet in Taiwan there are still pro-China supporters who always defend China, saying that “two sides of the strait are one family” or “Taiwan should not provoke China,” even while China deploys a host of vindictive measures to isolate and harm Taiwan.
As the saying goes: “Give someone an inch and he will take a mile.”
In the face of China’s coercive behavior, we should rally behind Taiwanese artists subject to coercion and pressure, and unite against the common enemy of Beijing. Only by resisting Beijing’s provocation together can we stand united and defend Taiwan.
Kuma Academy
Taiwan
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