Stars’ National Day messages for mainland China spark cross-strait controversy

Taiwanese film star Wu Kang-ren and singer Chiao Anpu’s congratulatory remarks seen to be at odds with previous criticisms of Beijing

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Taiwanese actor Wu Kang-ren in a still from “Abang Adik”, the acclaimed Malaysian film which was released in mainland China last month. Photo: Golden Scene

Published: 7:00pm, 4 Oct 2024

Congratulatory National Day messages from two Taiwanese stars famous for their past criticisms of Beijing’s policies have caused controversy on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

Wu Kang-ren – who won best actor prize at last year’s Golden Horse film awards for his role in Abang Adik – marked the 75th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China on Tuesday with a celebratory post on mainland social media platform Weibo.

Wu, whose film and television work has been popular in mainland China in recent years, signed with a mainland-based management company soon after the acclaimed Malaysian film was released there last month.

Wu reposted an article by Communist Party mouthpiece People’s Daily about the anniversary.

Later on Tuesday, singer Chiao Anpu – formerly known as Deserts Chang – posted a similar handwritten congratulatory message on Weibo through her management company.

Wu and Chiao were among a long list of Taiwanese artists who paid homage to the October 1 anniversary but unlike the others they are known for previously supporting anti-Beijing social movements in Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Stars’ National Day messages for mainland China spark cross-strait controversy

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Taiwanese film star Wu Kang-ren and singer Chiao Anpu’s congratulatory remarks seen to be at odds with previous criticisms of Beijing

Taiwanese film star Wu Kang-ren and singer Chiao Anpu’s congratulatory remarks seen to be at odds with previous criticisms of Beijing