Propaganda Drop? Chinese Flyers Found on Taiwan’s Erdan Island

Taiwanese army officials reported the discovery of propaganda flyers on Erdan island, allegedly dropped by Chinese troops. The Chinese flyers, written in simplified Chinese, were found by Taiwanese soldiers stationed on the island, part of the Kinmen group controlled by Taiwan. According to the Army’s Kinmen Defence Command, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) likely dropped the pamphlets during a recent two-day military drill encircling Taiwan, which concluded on Saturday.

The use of simplified Chinese, standard in China but not in Taiwan where traditional characters prevail, suggests the Chinese flyers originated from the mainland. The Taiwanese troops found the box of pamphlets on Erdan’s pier during a routine patrol. Although the specific content of the flyers remains undisclosed, the Army believes a drone dropped them as part of the PLA’s ongoing cognitive warfare against Taiwan.

In response to such incursions, the Army Command has pledged to implement appropriate measures, including the protection of crucial military facilities to prevent information leaks. Taiwan and its offshore frontline islands, including the Kinmen Islands, have faced frequent drone incursions amid rising regional tensions. The Kinmen Islands are particularly vulnerable due to their proximity to Xiamen City in China’s Fujian Province, located just 10 kilometers away.

The PLA’s recent joint military drills on Thursday and Friday followed the inauguration of Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te by three days, further escalating tensions. The Taiwanese Army continues to monitor and respond to these provocations to ensure national security.