City Funds Used for 'Red Stage' Propaganda? Councilor Slams Taiwan Influencer Festival

Taipei City Councilor Lin Liang-chun has raised serious concerns regarding the annual 'Taiwan Influencer Festival,' alleging that the event, which has received substantial funding from the city government, may be serving as a platform for Chinese Communist Party (CCP) united front activities. The festival has reportedly secured NT$3 million in subsidies from the Taipei City Department of Economic Development over the past five years through the 'Taipei City Promotion of Industrial Activities and Awards Subsidy Measures.'

Lin asserts that while the event is presented as a means to invigorate local commerce, its core organizing and executing units have close ties to Chinese state media and united front organizations. She specifically pointed to Lin Luo-an, the contact person for the 2025 festival and a director at Sun Star Network Technology, who previously served as a planning manager for the Chinese state-run Xinhua News Agency. Furthermore, the festival is reportedly linked to the program 'Mainland China Wonders,' which has strong united front connotations. The co-producer of this program, 'China Huayi Audiovisual,' is owned by the 'China Cultural Development Promotion Association,' a think tank affiliated with the Chinese People's Liberation Army. This association's parent company, 'China Huayi Broadcasting Company,' has previously been accused by legislators of broadcasting propaganda into Taiwan.

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taking public funds in Taipei to build a red stage for the CCP's united front.

Lin argues that this situation allows public funds to be used to construct a 'red stage' for CCP propaganda within Taipei. She is demanding an immediate investigation by the city government and a revision of the subsidy guidelines to prevent organizations with united front backgrounds or controversial affiliations from receiving public funds. The Councilor specifically called for amendments to Article 4 (subsidy conditions) and Article 12 (non-issuance mechanism) of the subsidy measures to explicitly bar such groups.

In response, the Department of Economic Development stated that it has clarified the matter with the association. They maintain that the 'Taiwan Influencer Festival' is an open event for industry promotion and citizen participation, conducted in accordance with regulations, and does not involve specific political stances or interfere with participants' content or speech. However, the department acknowledged the need for enhanced oversight and promised to present revised subsidy guidelines within two weeks.

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The 'Taiwan Influencer Festival' is an open event for industry promotion and citizen participation, with relevant plans and execution carried out in accordance with regulations, not involving the operation of specific stances, nor intervening in the content or speech of participants.