Taiwan Tati Cultural and Educational Foundation

China using fake news to divide Taiwan

Taipei Times

Premier William Lai tells a forum of prosecutors in Taipei on Aug. 13 to stay vigilant about fake news.
Photo: Chu Pei-hsiung, Taipei Times

The Chinese government is using online content farms to create fake news to manipulate Taiwanese public opinion and polarize society, the Ministry of Justice’s Investigation Bureau said, citing a bureau analysis of several online articles that have stirred controversy in Taiwan.

Playing politics with people’s lives

Taipei Times Editorial

Never let facts get in the way of a chance to smear political rivals has long been the mantra of Taiwanese politics, where many lawmakers and city or county councilors prefer headline-grabbing histrionics to the hard slog of actual work.

Even when there are legitimate grounds for complaints or criticism, they are often overshadowed by the need to score points, no matter the cost.

Al-Jazeera reporter ‘infiltrates’ CPA

Taipei Times

Concentric Patriotism Association head Zhou Qinjun presses the bell at the Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office on March 10, 2015.
Photo: Chen Wei-tse, Taipei Times

A 25-minute investigative documentary aired by Qatar-based al-Jazeera TV has shed some light on how pro-unification groups operate in Taiwan, including by reportedly paying people to attend events and asking the police for the names of independence advocates.

Slow shift in Taiwan’s favor

Taipei Times Editorial

China’s expansionist policies since Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) came to power — which include the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) efforts to reformulate the world order in its own image, as well as its “united front” tactics targeting educational and political institutions, industry and cyberspace — are increasingly setting off alarm bells in governments around the world.

As other nations are waking up to the threat posed by the CCP’s hegemonic intentions, Taiwan’s experiences and positioning are seen in greater relief.

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