The News Lens
Date: 2019/07/09
By: Milo Hsieh

Even before the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) became China’s ruling party, it has always put an emphasis on taking over the minds of the people as a psychological warfare. Stirring dissent and infiltrating enemy organizations were instrumental in CCP’s victory against Kuomintang (KMT) during the Chinese Civil War.

In its continuous attempt to claim sovereignty over Taiwan, the CCP has waged a similar tactic against Taiwan in the 21st century. Taiwanese politicians, public figures, and media outlets have been increasingly vocal in supporting closer ties or “reunification” with China, even though Taiwan was never ruled by the Communist Party.

On New Year’s Day, Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) reiterated China’s right to the use of force in preventing a de jure Taiwan declaration of independence. While Beijing has yet to use armed forces against Taiwan despite constant threats, it has launched an aggressive pro-unification campaign through Taiwanese-owned media.

China’s media infiltration in Taiwan has led to the insurgence of “red media,” a newly coined term referring to Taiwanese-owned media that actively fall in line with Beijing’s interests. The problem of “red media” gained widespread attention in Taiwan when left-wing legislator Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) and right-wing influencer Chen Chih-han (陳之漢) allied to organize a massive rally against Beijing’s encroachments in June.    [FULL  STORY]