Taiwan's DPP threatens entertainers advocating reunification

Taiwan cellist and actress Ouyang Nana, among about 20 entertainers from the island, have recently been targeted by Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party for sharing messages advocating reunification and opposing "Taiwan independence" on social media.

The mainland affairs authorities of Taiwan said that a group of artists active in mainland had frequently posted on their social media accounts, especially during military exercises in the Taiwan Strait, echoing the one-China principle and allegedly undermining Taiwan's "sovereignty".

The island authorities said they could receive a fine ranging from 100,000 to 500,000 New Taiwan Dollars ($3,300 to $16,600) if investigations found they have broken regulations by engaging in any form of cooperation with political, military, or governmental entities in mainland, and sharing such content at certain times could be seen as cooperation.

This development follows Ouyang Nana's appointment as the new cultural tourism ambassador for her ancestral hometown in Ji'an, Jiangxi province, where she expressed a strong sense of belonging, saying "Every time I come back here, it feels like home."

Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated the fact that the island is a province of China at a briefing during this year's two sessions in March, prompting numerous Taiwan artists to share posts advocating for Taiwan's reunification with the mainland.

Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te emphasized the need for "regulatory guidelines" for entertainers developing careers in mainland, with the island's mainland affairs authorities warning to investigate such entertainers.

Opinions in Taiwan have criticized the DPP administration's targeting of the entertainers as a move to intensify its anti-mainland strategy ahead of Lai's one-year anniversary in office next week.

Responding to the island's intention to penalize the entertainers in mainland in March, Chen Binhua, a spokesman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said that Taiwan compatriots, including entertainers, are proud Chinese people and it's natural for them to express their national identity and opposition to "Taiwan independence".

He criticized the DPP for resorting to threats and intimidation, attempting to restrict freedom of speech, thereby exposing the hypocrisy of their proclaimed "democratic values and freedoms".