What demands did China’s radio regulator make of Mayday?

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China’s radio regulator demanded Mayday publicly support Beijing’s claims over Taiwan and participate in its media propaganda efforts.

China’s National Radio and Television Administration requested that the influential Taiwanese rock band Mayday publicly endorse Beijing’s assertion that Taiwan is part of China. Furthermore, the administration sought the band's participation in China's "media propaganda on Taiwan." These demands were detailed in an internal Taiwan security note that reviewed intelligence on Chinese government activities.
Pressure for Political Alignment

The Chinese authorities, specifically through the National Radio and Television Administration, approached Mayday with explicit political demands. The core of these demands was for the band to vocalise support for Beijing's sovereignty claims over Taiwan. This move is seen as an attempt to leverage the band's popularity to influence public opinion in Taiwan.
Allegations of Lip-Syncing as Leverage

As a method of exerting pressure, Chinese authorities initiated an investigation into Mayday concerning allegations of lip-syncing during concerts in China. This probe, announced in December, followed social media accusations and was reportedly used as a threat to compel the band's cooperation with the political demands. A source indicated that the band was threatened with this investigation and potential fines if they did not comply with the unspecified "political service" requested.
Broader Campaign to Influence Elections

The actions against Mayday are reportedly part of a larger campaign orchestrated by China's Publicity Department, aimed at swaying voters in Taiwan's upcoming presidential and legislative elections. Taiwanese officials have described this cross-departmental effort as "unprecedented" in its scale, involving state-controlled media outlets like the People's Daily, CCTV, and Xinhua News Agency. This campaign is believed to be an effort to influence the youth vote in Taiwan and encourage a particular political outcome.

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What demands did China’s radio regulator make of Mayday?

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