China Allegedly Pressures Associates to Isolate Taipei Mayoral Candidate
China is accused of conducting an intimidation campaign to isolate Taipei mayoral candidate Puma Shen by pressuring his celebrity and business associates.
The Government of China is facing allegations of conducting an intimidation campaign to politically isolate Puma Shen, a Democratic Progressive Party legislator and candidate for mayor of Taipei. The strategy reportedly involves pressuring businesses, professional associates, and celebrities linked to Shen to discourage them from supporting his campaign.
These allegations emerged after television host Kevin Tsai issued a public apology on Chinese social media denying support for Taiwanese independence. Tsai had previously attended the October 4 inauguration of Shen's campaign headquarters. Sources suggest Beijing is targeting Shen's associates because direct pressure on the candidate through the commercial market is difficult.
Puma Shen questioned the timing of the apology, noting it occurred just before his electoral rival, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an of the Kuomintang, was scheduled to open his own campaign headquarters. The Taiwan Affairs Office has previously stated that businesses funding advocates of Taiwanese independence could face punishment.
