Chinese Actor's Speech Divides Taiwan Amid Cross-Strait Forum Controversy

A speech by Chinese actor Zhang Linghe at the 18th Straits Forum in Xiamen has sparked controversy in Taiwan, drawing a sharp divide between fan reception and official criticism. Zhang's appearance, marked by a greeting in the Taiwanese Minnan dialect, was met with applause from the audience, which included many Taiwanese attendees.

However, the 28-year-old actor's subsequent call for enhanced cross-strait cultural and people-to-people exchanges drew mixed reactions. Liang Wen-chieh, deputy minister of Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council, criticized the move, stating that Zhang had been "manipulated and used by (China’s) Taiwan Affairs Office" and "tainted with political overtones."

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Originally, Zhang Linghe was simply an artiste, but after being manipulated and used by (China’s) Taiwan Affairs Office, he has been tainted with political overtones.

The Straits Forum, hosted by the Chinese government, aims to foster civil, cultural, and economic exchanges between mainland China and Taiwan. Beijing views Taiwan as a breakaway territory to be reunified, potentially by force. Taipei, however, regards the forum with deep skepticism, seeing it as a tool to align Taiwanese society with Beijing's interests.

Zhang, who gained popularity in Taiwan for his role in the drama "Pursuit of Jade," was invited to speak at the forum's main session. He encouraged Taiwanese people to visit China, highlighting its "vitality and dynamism," and expressed hope for increased exchanges in film, music, and culture, particularly among young people.

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The power of culture can always tran