PFP youth delegation's China visit sparks 'grand propaganda' fears; Huang Kuo-chang deflects

Taiwan's People First Party (PFP) has dispatched its first youth delegation of eight members to Shanghai for a four-day, three-night visit to mainland China. The delegation, led by Central Review Committee Chairman Li Wei-hua, aims to foster dialogue and replace confrontation, emphasizing exchanges based on Taiwan's democratic and free system.

“

How many times have you heard this kind of talk? Do you feel you've been subjected to grand propaganda?

However, the visit has drawn scrutiny, with China's Taiwan Affairs Office welcoming the delegation and stating that both sides share "the same culture, same roots, and same origin." This has led to concerns in Taiwan that the visit could be exploited as Chinese "grand propaganda." PFP Chairman Huang Kuo-chang addressed these concerns, questioning the media's repeated focus on such issues and asserting the party's commitment to Taiwan's autonomy and cross-strait peace through its "five mutuals" policy.

“

If you really want to do grand propaganda, what could be better than this to serve as a propaganda model?

Huang countered the propaganda claims by referencing former Democratic Progressive Party legislator Hung Chi-chang's past visits to China. He suggested that Hung's interactions were more suitable as propaganda examples than the PFP's youth exchange. Huang also criticized media reports linking Li Wei-hua's meeting with a representative of a Chinese organization to the visit, stating it was a normal part of Li's duties as head of the Taiwan Business Association.

“

Don't make things difficult for these young Taiwanese people, okay?

When asked about specific instructions for the youth delegation, Huang stated he only reminded them to "enter and exit as a group" and rest at the hotel. He also recounted an anecdote about a Taipei city councilor becoming heavily intoxicated during a past event and requiring assistance from mainland officials, implying a lack of discipline among some Taiwanese politicians engaging with China. The PFP seeks to present its youth delegation's visit as a constructive step towards cross-strait understanding, distinct from what it perceives as more problematic engagements by others.

“

I reminded them to 'enter and exit as a group' and rest well at the hotel, not to run around outside by themselves.