Cai Kangyong at Shen Boyang HQ: Denies Taiwan Independence, Gains Public Attention

On Tuesday, Shen Boyang, the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) candidate for Taipei mayor, held a “campaign headquarters inauguration” in which well‑known television host Cai Kang‑yong appeared and posted a message on Weibo stating that he “hopes for cross‑strait friendship and has never supported Taiwan independence.” The comment immediately drew public attention, given Cai’s high profile and the impact his remarks on cross‑strait issues often have on the political arena. After the event, Shen publicly responded, saying that “China’s interference in this manner is disheartening,” implying that the statement had crossed a sensitive political line between the two sides.

Cai Kang‑yong first rose to fame as a host of Taiwan Television’s (TTV) talk show *Kangxi Lai Le*. He later transitioned to a career as a media personality, writer and public speaker, and has long been appreciated for his candid, humorous style. Although he has never formally joined any political party, over the past several years he has repeatedly voiced concern for Taiwan’s democratic development and for peace across the Taiwan Strait. In various appearances Cai has urged Taiwanese citizens to remain rational and has emphasized that “cross‑strait relations are a matter for the peoples on both sides,” positioning his remarks as neutral and bridge‑building. By publishing a personal Weibo post that explicitly declared “I have never supported Taiwan independence,” he intertwined his personal view with a politically charged issue, leading some observers to regard him as a de‑facto spokesperson for “cross‑strait friendship.”

Shen Boyang is a core DPP figure in Taipei, having served as a Taipei City Councilor, a legislator, and being nominated in 2023 as the party’s candidate for Taipei mayor. While the DPP is popularly associated with a “Taiwan independence” stance, its official platform does not formally call for independence; instead it emphasizes “the safeguarding of Taiwan’s sovereignty” and stresses “peaceful development of cross‑strait relations” as guiding principles. In his campaign, Shen has made “protecting Taiwan’s sovereignty” his primary appeal, urging voters to support “Taiwan’s democracy and freedom.” In his post‑event response, he directly accused Cai’s comment of being “interference by China,” indicating a critical view of the host’s statement and framing it as external meddling in Taiwan’s internal affairs.

The Chinese government has long placed the “One China principle” at the core of its cross‑strait policy, asserting that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China and treating any claim of “Taiwan independence” or “cross‑strait friendship” as a challenge to its sovereignty. While state media did not immediately comment on Cai’s Weibo post, past cases show that similar cross‑strait remarks are often labeled as “foreign interference.” In recent years China has intensified regulation of Taiwanese media, academia and political figures, employing internet censorship, diplomatic pressure and other measures to curb Taiwan’s independent presence on the international stage. Although Cai’s remarks were made in a personal capacity, his influence and the cross‑strait nature of the platform mean they are likely to be perceived as a form of “indirect interference.”

The episode has stirred not only cross‑strait dynamics but also carries potential ramifications for the upcoming 2024 Taipei mayoral election. The DPP must continue to assert “Taiwan’s sovereignty” while avoiding a perception of excessive radicalism or provocation, lest opponents such as the Kuomintang (KMT) exploit heightened cross‑strait tensions in their campaign attacks. If the DPP interprets Cai’s “cross‑strait friendship” comment as a positive signal, it could help bolster its image among ordinary voters.