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🇹🇼 Taiwan /Crime & Justice

Chinese Talk Show Actor Arrested; Accused of Saying Taiwan and China Are Separate Countries

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • Beijing-based director and YouTuber Zhang Neixian has reportedly been arrested and detained by police.
  • The arrest occurred on the university campus of Tsinghua University.
  • Scholars suggest Zhang's recent social media posts, stating that Taiwan and China are two separate countries, may be the primary reason for his detention.

Beijing director and YouTuber Zhang Neixian has reportedly been arrested and criminally detained by police. The incident allegedly took place on the campus of Tsinghua University on the first of the month. Zhang is known for his talk shows on his YouTube channel.

I, a Beijinger, know that Taiwan and China are two countries, you, who have immigrated, don't know, how much benefit have you received? All the taxes we pay are given to you.

— Zhang NeixianZhang Neixian's social media post questioning immigrants' stance on Taiwan and China.

Scholar Shen Rongqin pointed out that Zhang had posted sensitive messages on the social media platform 'X' for three consecutive days prior to his arrest. These messages included statements asserting that "Taiwan and China are two different countries." Shen believes these statements are the most significant reason for the Chinese Communist Party's decision to take action against Zhang.

According to Shen Rongqin's Facebook post, Zhang's posts included remarks such as, "Now there are more and more stupid foreign propaganda dogs. I, a Beijinger, know that Taiwan and China are two countries. You, who have immigrated, don't know, how much benefit have you received? All the taxes we pay are given to you." Another post questioned, "Others say Taiwan is China's because there's money to be made and benefits to be gained; you don't make money, you don't gain benefits, and you still follow them shouting for unification, are you stupid and brainless?"

Others say Taiwan is China's because there's money to be made and benefits to be gained; you don't make money, you don't gain benefits, and you still follow them shouting for unification, are you stupid and brainless?

— Zhang NeixianZhang Neixian's social media post criticizing those who advocate for unification with Taiwan without personal gain.

Shen also shared a message where Zhang directly challenged authorities: "I am in Beijing, right here, opposing the Communist Party. Aren't you angry? Come and arrest me!" Shen noted that Zhang was arrested just a few hours after this particular message was posted, suggesting a direct link between his anti-government and pro-Taiwan independence statements and his detention.

I am in Beijing, right here, opposing the Communist Party. Aren't you angry? Come and arrest me!

— Zhang NeixianZhang Neixian's defiant social media post challenging Chinese authorities.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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