Beijing has commended Taiwanese actress and model Lin Chi-ling for resigning from her newly appointed seat on the board of the Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA), following significant public backlash over her selection.
At a Wednesday press briefing, Chen Binhua, spokesperson for Beijing’s Taiwan Affairs Office, accused TAICCA of orchestrating and bankrolling film and television projects in recent years that “distort historical narratives and sensationalise a so-called mainland threat.”
“It operates as a political instrument for the Democratic Progressive Party to promote ‘cultural Taiwan independence’ and foster anti-China sentiment,” Chen stated. “Individuals in Taiwan’s cultural and artistic sectors would be well advised to recognise the true nature of such organisations and maintain a clear distance.”
Beijing regards Taiwan as an inalienable part of China and has not ruled out reunification by force. While most nations, including the United States, do not formally recognise Taiwan as an independent state, Washington opposes any forcible seizure of the self-governing island and remains committed to providing it with defensive arms.
In a May 13 press release, TAICCA announced that Lin had been named to its board alongside producer Liu Szu-ming and Golden Horse Award-winning actress Chen Shiang-chyi. The agency said the appointments were intended to introduce “diverse professional perspectives” that would advance the industrialisation and global expansion of Taiwanese cultural content.
“With more than two decades of experience across the Asia-Pacific entertainment industry, Lin is Taiwan’s most prominent ambassador for global pop culture, having built a versatile career as a model, actress and television host,” the agency noted. “We hope she will leverage her influence not only on stage but also to help propel more Taiwanese content onto screens worldwide.”
The appointment triggered sharp criticism from segments of Taiwan’s arts and culture sector, who pointed to Lin’s pro-Beijing remarks, including her public congratulations to China on its October 1 National Day. In response, Culture Minister Li Yuan clarified on May 15 that Lin’s role was voluntary and that she would have no involvement in the operations of Taiwan’s National Development Fund.