Anonymous ID: fc8148 June 23, 2019, 9:11 p.m. No.6828089   🗄️.is đź”—kun   >>8153 >>8214

Thousands of Taiwanese Rally Against Beijing Infiltration Through Media

 

BY NICOLE HAO

June 23, 2019 Updated: June 23, 2019

 

Tens of thousands of Taiwanese citizens braved heavy rain for more than four hours on June 23 to attend a Taipei rally calling for a ban on pro-Beijing media outlets that push the Chinese regime’s agenda.

 

Beijing considers the self-ruled island part of its territory, despite Taiwan having its own democratically elected government, military force, and currency. The Chinese regime has recruited Taiwanese military personnel to conduct espionage on its behalf, and has hired local gang members to intimidate China’s critics.

 

In recent years, the Chinese regime has infiltrated local media, political parties, and other facets of Taiwan society in an effort to persuade Taiwanese citizens to accept a future in which the island is “unified” with the mainland. But the large turnout this weekend was a rare public repudiation of Beijing’s tactics.

 

Politicians, TV stars, a movie director, and teachers were among those who delivered speeches in support of democracy and freedom in Taiwan. They condemned Chung T’ien Television, China Times, and other pro-Beijing media outlets that have downplayed recent coverage of Hong Kong mass protests against a controversial extradition bill that would allow mainland China to seek extradition of any individual from Hong Kong. Locals refer to them as “red media,” after the symbolic color of the Chinese Communist Party.

 

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen voiced her support for the rally during the opening ceremony of an international women’s association meeting early on June 23.

 

“I believe the rally can awaken Taiwan society,” she said.

 

Rally in the Rain

 

Holger Chen, a YouTube celebrity, teamed up with Huang Kuo-chang, a lawmaker from the Taiwan New Power Party, to organize the rally.

 

Despite heavy rain, tens of thousands arrived at Ketagalan Boulevard in front of the presidential office building with umbrellas and raincoats before the rally began at 2 p.m. Organizers didn’t provide a turnout estimate.

 

Huang Yizhong, a middle-school teacher, told the protesters: “Two million Hongkongers went on the streets against the extradition bill. Three of Taiwan’s four largest newspapers reported this event.”

 

China Times didn’t place the news on its front page. Other coverage of the continuing protests have been slanted in favor of the Hong Kong government, which is currently led by an official handpicked by Beijing.

 

Since China Times was acquired by Taiwan-based food company Want Want Holdings in 2008, the publication has increasingly taken a pro-Beijing bias in its coverage. ……

 

https://www.theepochtimes.com/tens-of-thousands-of-taiwanese-rally-against-beijing-infiltration-through-media_2975120.html