🇹🇼🇨🇳 Cai Yongle Faces Mainland Fallout

Taiwan host Cai Yongle came under pressure from mainland-linked commercial partners after he attended the campaign launch of Taipei mayoral candidate Shen Pao-yang on Oct. 4 in Taipei. On Oct. 5, KMT candidate Chiang Wan-an called on mainland China to respect Taiwan’s democracy and said political views should not lead to differential treatment.

Cai, who rarely appears at political events, said he attended to understand the candidate’s platform and did not explicitly endorse anyone. After his appearance was interpreted by some mainland netizens as support for Shen, who Beijing has labeled a pro-independence hardliner, EV maker Leapmotor said Cai was not a brand ambassador and removed related content; fashion outlet Harper’s Bazaar and Cai’s social media accounts also saw related material taken down.

Chiang said participation in political activities is part of Taiwan’s democratic system and that he would welcome Cai to his own campaign event. The episode adds to cross-strait sensitivity around Taiwanese public figures with commercial exposure in the mainland market.

#Taiwan #China

@asianomics