Douyin, RedNote seen as China's propaganda tools: MAC

Taipei, May 29 (CNA) There are growing suspicions that Chinese social media apps like Douyin and RedNote are being used by China in its united front propaganda efforts against Taiwan, Chiu Chui-cheng (邱垂正), head of Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), said Thursday

During a legislative hearing, Chiu said that content promoting unification, advocating military force against Taiwan, and undermining its sovereignty had been found on the two popular Chinese apps.

Chiu said he hopes Taiwan's Internet regulatory agencies will investigate the matter and address public concerns about such apps.

He was responding to a question by Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Huang Jie (黃捷) on whether the MAC classifies social media platforms like RedNote as tools for China's united front propaganda.

Huang called attention to a recent comment by Chinese academic Zhang Weiwei (張維為) that social media platforms like RedNote have become increasingly popular among young people in Taiwan, thereby advancing China's influence.

"After Taiwan is unified, governing Taiwan will be easier than governing Hong Kong," Zhang said during a recent speech at China's Wuhan University.

Commenting on the speech, Chiu said in Thursday's hearing that it was the first open statement by a Chinese scholar linking the use of popular Chinese social media apps in Taiwan to China's goal of unification.

It indicates that apps like Douyin and RedNote may indeed be part of China's preparations for unification with Taiwan, Chiu said. Under such circumstances, the Taiwanese public may need to be more vigilant, he added.

Chiu also suggested that it is time for Taiwan's schools to provide social media literacy guidance and education regarding the use of such apps, so that students at all levels can understand the potential risks.

For example, personal information could be used by China and incorporated into the content on those apps to promote unification ideology, he said.

On Thursday, Chiu also faced other questions about the China issue, when a reporter asked about the potential risks associated with a planned visit to China by Taiwanese Internet celebrity Holger Chen (陳之漢) as a "peace ambassador."

In response, Chiu said that as an ordinary citizen, Chen does not need government approval to travel to China, under Taiwan's current regulations.

Chiu said, however, that he hopes if Chen makes the visit, he will uphold the principles of mutual respect and dignity, abide by Taiwan's regulations, and strive to safeguard the overall interests of his country.