Can celebrity endorsements genuinely influence Taiwanese public opinion on China?

Question

Accepted Answer

Celebrity endorsements are unlikely to reshape Taiwanese political opinion on China, though they may slightly soften perceptions

Chinese actor Zhang Linghe’s appearance at the annual Straits Forum drew loud applause after he greeted the audience in Taiwanese Minnan, but experts said his popularity is unlikely to significantly reshape how many Taiwanese view China in political terms. A long-running poll by National Chengchi University found nearly 88 per cent of Taiwanese support maintaining the current de facto independence status quo, suggesting identity and status concerns remain dominant. Analysts also noted that while a celebrity speech probably would not make China seem favourable overnight, it could make China appear “slightly less hostile” to some audiences.
What happened during the Straits Forum appearance
Zhang Linghe, 28, was believed to be the first Chinese actor invited to address the main plenary session of the annual Straits Forum in Xiamen. In a six-minute speech, he called for closer cultural exchanges between China and Taiwan and urged Taiwanese audiences to visit mainland China to see its “vitality and dynamism”. He also promoted deeper cooperation in film, music and culture, using the line that culture can “transcend mountains and seas” and connect people on both sides.
How officials and the public reacted
Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council deputy minister Liang Wen-chieh criticised Zhang’s appearance as being manipulated and used with political overtones. Online reactions were divided, with some fans welcoming exchanges while others accused him of leveraging popularity for political purposes. One Threads user said they liked Zhang but “still have a clear head,” reflecting the split between cultural appreciation and political interpretation.
What experts said about limits on political influence
Political scientist Chen Shih-min said Taiwanese audiences can admire Zhang as an actor, but that would be similar to admiring actors from South Korean or Japanese dramas. He argued it is “very unlikely” that one person would change how Taiwanese feel about identity or make them want to be governed by China. A cross-strait relations expert, James Yifan Chen, also said the speech was unlikely to transform public opinion overnight, while still noting it could soften perceptions of China.
The broader pattern analysts link to celebrity outreach
Analysts said Beijing’s choice of Zhang was not accidental, pointing to his popularity—especially among younger Taiwanese—as a way to reach a wider audience than a lesser-known figure. The pattern of celebrity involvement in cross-strait tensions has included scrutiny of Chinese actor Hu Ge after a surprise visit to Taiwan, and pressure on Taiwanese entertainers working in China to align with Beijing’s messaging. Analysts suggested Beijing could feature more high-profile entertainers in future outreach because it can be framed as cultural exchange, which is described as a “relatively low-risk” approach.

Reading history

Hide →

This history is cleared when the page is closed.

Can celebrity endorsements genuinely influence Taiwanese public opinion on China?

Loading

Was this article helpful?

Helpful

Not helpful

Report an issue

1

0

0

Share with friends