Taiwan News reported that China’s Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) plans to “penalize” five Taiwanese TV commentators for their criticisms of China. During a press briefing, TAO spokesperson Chen Binhua announced that China intends to sanction these commentators, namely Wang Yi-chuan, Edward Huang, Lee Cheng-hao, Yu Pei-chen, and Liu Baojie.
According to Taiwan News, Chen also accused the commentators of intentionally creating untrue and negative narratives about China, which he claimed had led to increased tensions between Taiwan and China.
He stated that their misleading statements had misled some Taiwanese citizens, fueled animosity and conflicts between the two sides, and caused distress among compatriots from both sides of the Taiwan Strait. Chen mentioned that Beijing plans to take legal action to penalize the five individuals and their families.
Chen emphasized the importance of not remaining silent in the face of wrongdoing, stating that to do so is unjust and harmful to morality. He reiterated that public opinion must adhere to the law, highlighting that any actions involving fabrications, spreading of rumors, disruption of social order, and harm to national dignity and interests will face legal consequences, as reported by Taiwan News.
When asked about the specific sanctions and whether Taiwan’s commitment to freedom of speech might further distance it from China, Chen pointed to China’s past actions against Taiwan’s push for independence. He stressed that freedom of speech does not exempt individuals from the law and should not be used as a shield for misconduct.
