Taiwan's MAC condemns Chinese threats over TV host's campaign appearance

Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council publicly rebuked a Chinese military-linked social media account that seemed to threaten television personality Kevin Tsai for appearing at a campaign rally for Democratic Progressive Party legislator-at-large Puma Shen. The account, posted on Weibo, warned a "Taiwanese public figure" against supporting what it called Taiwan independence. MAC deputy head Liang Wen-chieh argued that Beijing is attempting to dictate political choices in Taiwan and compared the situation to Hong Kong's 2021 candidate vetting rules, which would have disqualified Shen.

Tsai, known for hosting shows in China, attended the opening of Shen's campaign headquarters and later said his purpose was to hear different perspectives. His manager mentioned possible interviews with both Shen and incumbent Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an, who subsequently invited Tsai to his own campaign headquarters launch, defending Tsai's freedom to attend political events.