Rednote ban undermines freedom, harms interests of Taiwan people: mainland spokesman

BEIJING -- Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party authorities were criticized for imposing a one-year ban on popular social media app Rednote by a mainland official, who said the ban has "trampled on democracy and undermined the freedom" of people in Taiwan.

At a regular press conference, Chen Binhua, a spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said the ban has deprived Taiwan people -- especially the young ones -- of their right to access information and their freedom to use social media platforms, and has seriously harmed the livelihoods of those on the island who depend on the app for their income.

The Shanghai-headquartered Rednote is a popular social media platform among Chinese-speaking communities. The majority of its users seek tips on fashion, beauty, travel, and other parts of everyday life.

The app has more than 3 million users in Taiwan, and about 70 percent are under the age of 35.

Chen said friendly interactions on the app have helped Taiwan's young people learn about what is really going on in the mainland.

The ban has punctured the information "echo chamber" deliberately constructed by the DPP authorities, the spokesman said. It has countered their smear campaign to vilify the mainland and exposed their fear and anxiety, he added.