Report: China Pressures Taiwanese Band Ahead of Elections

Image copyright: Andrew Chin/Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

The Spin

Pro-China narrative

It's nonsensical to link the upcoming elections in the island of Taiwan with allegations that Mayday had lip-synched at tour concerts in mainland China. Given that the Law Enforcement on Cultural Market and the China Association of Performing Arts have stepped into this case only after the controversy became viral on Bilibili, the PRC's leading video-sharing platform, this probe isn't politically motivated.

Anti-China narrative

Though seeming absurd at first, Beijing pressuring rock band Mayday to make pro-China comments would be in line with its open attempts to influence Taiwan's Jan. 13 elections — including the use of fake social media accounts on platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube. All Taiwanese parties must jointly condemn Beijing for trying to interfere and meddle in cultural activities.

Metaculus Prediction

There's a 59% chance that China will annex at least half of Taiwan before 2050, if the DPP wins the 2024 Taiwanese election, according to the Metaculus prediction community.


Go Deeper


Establishment split

CRITICAL

PRO

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