TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's government contacted 20 Taiwanese artists Thursday (Aug. 14) who publicly supported Chinese Communist Party (CCP, 中國共產黨) positions, demanding explanations for their actions. The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC, 陸委會) Taiwan's top cross-strait policy body reported that more than half have already responded. Officials warned that artists who ignore the deadline will forfeit their chance to provide clarifications.
Deputy Minister and spokesperson Liang Wen-chieh (梁文傑) confirmed at a routine press conference that authorities have not yet imposed penalties on any artists. Liang emphasized that investigations will proceed under the Act Governing Relations Between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area (兩岸條例) Taiwan's primary cross-strait legal framework. The government maintains its commitment to following established legal procedures throughout the investigation process.
The investigation originated in March when Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (王毅) declared Taiwan a province of China during the National People's Congress China's rubber-stamp parliament press conference. Several Taiwanese artists subsequently shared related social media content supporting this position. China Central Television (CCTV, 央視) the state broadcaster posted on Weibo March 7 with graphics declaring Taiwan must return to China, which multiple Taiwanese artists reposted.
The MAC issued a statement expressing strongest condemnation of Taiwanese artists who amplified official Chinese propaganda posts. The council Taiwan's primary cross-strait affairs body vowed to pursue investigations under existing regulations governing cross-strait interactions. Officials stressed their determination to hold accountable those who promote Beijing's political messaging regarding Taiwan's status. ◼
