TAIPEI, Taiwan – A recent survey has raised alarm over the lack of awareness among young Taiwanese about China’s United Front tactics and its influence campaigns aimed at Taiwan. Experts are concerned that a significant portion of Taiwan’s younger generation is not adequately vigilant in recognizing potential threats posed by China’s strategies across the Taiwan Strait.
Survey Results Show Concerns About Youth Vigilance
The survey, conducted by the Asia-Pacific Elite Interchange Association (APEIA), focused on the awareness of Taiwan’s youth regarding China’s United Front efforts—a strategy designed to push for unification with Taiwan through political, cultural, and social influence.
The findings revealed that 56.3% of the general public believes that laws should be implemented to regulate influencers promoting China’s pro-unification agenda. However, when looking at the younger demographic, particularly those aged 20-24, only 37.9% of respondents supported the regulation of such influencers. This is significantly lower than the support shown by other age groups, which ranged from 49.1% to 70.6%.
Arthur Wang (王智盛), secretary-general of the APEIA and an expert on cross-strait relations, described these findings as a “warning signal” that the younger generation may be losing their vigilance regarding China’s influence operations. He attributed this trend to the increasing exposure of young Taiwanese to Chinese social media platforms and a growing perception that cross-strait interactions are benign.
China’s United Front Strategy and Its Impact on Taiwan
China’s United Front strategy, employed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), seeks to exert influence on individuals and groups in Taiwan to align with Beijing’s political goals, including unification. Recently, there have been allegations that China has been recruiting Taiwanese influencers to promote its agenda.
Pa Chiung (八炯), a Taiwanese YouTuber, brought attention to this issue with a documentary in which she interviewed Taiwanese rapper Chen Po-yuan (陳伯源). In the video, Chen revealed that he had unknowingly been used to support China’s pro-unification narrative while promoting his music. This revelation highlights the risk of Chinese influence, especially among individuals with substantial followings on social media.
The Role of Influencers in Shaping Youth Opinions
Taiwanese influencers, particularly those who focus on lifestyle topics like fashion, makeup, and entertainment, have large followings among young people. Raymond Sung (宋承恩), vice president of the Prospect Foundation, emphasized that while these influencers often create content that appears harmless and unrelated to politics, some have aligned with China’s political narratives, subtly shaping young people’s perceptions of the mainland.
Sung added that the apparent harmlessness of influencer content makes it challenging for youth to recognize the political messages being promoted. These influencers often present their content as apolitical, but it could inadvertently contribute to fostering more favorable views of China, especially in light of Taiwan’s complex political relationship with Beijing.
Survey Methodology and Statistical Data
The survey, commissioned by the APEIA, was conducted by DADI Opinion Research between December 17 and 18, 2024. A total of 1,001 valid responses were gathered through telephone interviews with Taiwanese adults aged 20 and above. The results come with a 95% confidence level and a margin of error of ±3.1 percentage points.
Table: Survey Results on Regulating Pro-China Influencers
| Age Group | Support for Regulating Influencers | Opposition | No Opinion |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20-24 years old | 37.9% | 47.2% | 14.9% |
| 25-34 years old | 49.6% | 34.3% | 16.1% |
| 35-44 years old | 55.1% | 28.7% | 16.2% |
| 45+ years old | 70.6% | 16.4% | 13% |
FAQs:
Q1: What is China’s United Front strategy?
A1: The United Front is a political strategy used by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to influence individuals and organizations in Taiwan to promote unification with China, leveraging various sectors like politics, culture, and social media.
Q2: Why is the low support for regulating pro-China influencers a concern?
A2: The low support, particularly among young people, signals a lack of awareness or concern about China’s influence operations. Experts worry that this could lead to greater exposure to pro-China narratives and undermine Taiwan’s sovereignty.
Q3: Who is Pa Chiung, and how has she raised awareness of this issue?
A3: Pa Chiung (八炯) is a Taiwanese YouTuber who produced a documentary highlighting how Taiwanese influencers, including rapper Chen Po-yuan, were unknowingly supporting China’s pro-unification agenda. The documentary brought attention to China’s covert influence tactics.
Q4: How do Taiwanese influencers contribute to China’s influence campaigns?
A4: Influencers in Taiwan, especially those in the entertainment and lifestyle sectors, often have large followings. Some of them align with China’s political agenda, subtly promoting unification messages that could sway the opinions of young Taiwanese.
Q5: How was the survey conducted, and what was its methodology?
A5: The survey was conducted by DADI Opinion Research through telephone interviews with 1,001 Taiwanese adults aged 20 and above. The survey had a confidence level of 95% and a margin of error of ±3.1%.
