Taiwan condemns Beijing threats against celebrity supporting lawmaker, vows to protect free speech.

Regarding entertainer Kevin Tsai recently appearing at the campaign headquarters opening event for Democratic Progressive Party Taipei mayoral candidate Shen Po-yang and subsequently being publicly named and criticized by official media of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, with threats of paying a so-called unbearable price, the Executive Yuan spokesperson made an official response during the routine press conference. The Executive Yuan stated that in response to the intimidation and speech suppression directed by Chinese Communist Party official media against Taiwanese public figures, the National Police Agency has immediately instructed relevant police authorities to fully grasp the situation. Based on public information and concrete risk assessments, the authorities will proactively establish contact channels with the parties involved and, when necessary, timely adopt appropriate security maintenance measures to ensure that the safety and freedom of speech of citizens are not subjected to malicious interference.

The fuse of this incident stemmed from upcoming domestic electoral dynamics. Democratic Progressive Party Taipei mayoral candidate Shen Po-yang invited renowned entertainer Kevin Tsai to make an appearance at his campaign headquarters opening event to show support. Shen has long focused in civil society and political fields on researching and countering cognitive warfare, information warfare, and democratic defense mechanisms originating from external hostile forces, making his candidacy one of high political symbolic significance. As an influential acclaimed writer and host in the Chinese-speaking world, Tsai publicly attending a specific political figure's event naturally attracted intense attention from domestic and foreign media, while also touching the sensitive nerves of Beijing authorities regarding Taiwan's electoral dynamics and statements made by celebrities.

Shortly after Tsai appeared at the event, official media of the Communist People's Liberation Army swiftly launched a public opinion attack, not only fiercely criticizing Tsai but also using intimidating language to warn that his actions would incur a so-called unbearable price. Such pressure tactics targeting Taiwanese performing artists or public figures for exercising their civic rights and participating in democratic electoral activities have long been a part of Beijing's united front tactics and maximum pressure against Taiwan. The Chinese Communist Party attempts to create a chilling effect in Taiwanese society through economic boycotts, public opinion bullying, or political intimidation, causing other figures from the arts and cultural circles interested in participating in public affairs or supporting local democratic forces to feel fear, thereby achieving the goal of interfering with Taiwan's democratic elections and freedom of speech.

Faced with the blatant intimidation from Chinese Communist Party official media, the Executive Yuan and law enforcement agencies rapidly adopted preventive measures, demonstrating their determination to safeguard national security and democratic values. The Executive Yuan pointed out that Taiwan is a democratic society with a high degree of rule of law that guarantees freedom of speech and political participation. Any citizen participating in democratic activities and supporting specific candidates according to their own will represents a fundamental right conferred by the Constitution and will never be allowed to be deprived through intimidation or violent threats by external hostile forces. The intervention of the National Police Agency to grasp the situation and assess security risks is not only a protection for a specific individual, but also a substantive defense of the democratic lifestyle of all Taiwanese citizens, conveying a clear attitude to the outside world that the government will never condone external intimidation.

From a macro political and social impact perspective, this incident once again highlights the external threats and daily challenges facing Taiwan's democracy. The Chinese Communist Party's pressure on people from all sectors in Taiwan has long surpassed traditional military and diplomatic domains, extending deeply into cultural, entertainment, and daily livelihood areas, attempting to restrict Taiwan's international survival space and internal cohesion through comprehensive pressure. However, the prompt response from the Executive Yuan and related units also confirms that Taiwan is gradually establishing a cross-departmental protection net when facing cognitive warfare and security threats. Moving forward, relevant units will continue to closely monitor the development of the situation to ensure that the personal safety and freedom of all citizens exercising their democratic rights on this land receive the most solid national protection.

(Fact Source: Central News Agency)