 |
| Taiwan Investigates Ouyang Nana, Citing Concerns Over Pro-Beijing Influence (Weibo) |
More than 20 Taiwanese entertainers, including Ouyang Nana, under investigation as cross-strait tensions spill into entertainment industry
Taiwan’s government has initiated a formal crackdown on several high-profile figures within its entertainment industry, citing concerns over alleged cooperation with pro-Beijing narratives.
On 15 May, Deputy Minister of the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), Mr Shen You-zhong, confirmed that more than 20 celebrities are now under administrative scrutiny, with potential penalties for those found to have engaged in actions deemed detrimental to Taiwan’s public morale and national identity.
Among those under review is actress and cellist Ouyang Nana, who has long been vocal about her support for closer ties with mainland China. She is reportedly classified as a “special administrative subject” and could face a fine of up to NT$500,000 (approx. £12,700) if found in violation of Taiwanese regulations concerning public conduct and national sovereignty.
 |
The controversy stems from a series of incidents earlier this year, particularly in March, when Ouyang Nana, alongside celebrities such as Patty Hou, Mark Chao, Joe Chen, Michelle Chen, and Angela Zhang, reposted a message originally shared by China’s state broadcaster CCTV.
The post—criticising Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party—sparked backlash among Taiwanese officials, who accused the stars of spreading propaganda that could influence domestic opinion in favour of Beijing.
.jpg "Ouyang Nana Faces Administrative Review as Taiwan Probes Pro-China Activity") |
According to Mr Shen, the MAC is coordinating closely with the Ministry of Culture and other relevant agencies to carry out administrative audits of the artists in question. The investigations will focus not only on social media posts but also on participation in events, public endorsements, and verbal statements that may be seen as undermining Taiwan’s sovereignty or promoting the mainland’s political agenda.
While the MAC acknowledges that many Taiwanese artists build careers in mainland China—a reality of the region’s interlinked entertainment economy—it draws a firm line when such engagement appears to cross into political advocacy or messaging aligned with the Chinese Communist Party. In these cases, the council warns, legal consequences are not off the table.
When asked whether celebrities can deflect responsibility by blaming their management companies, MAC spokesperson Mr Liang Wen-jie was unequivocal: “Delegating actions to your agency does not absolve you of accountability. If you instruct an agent to post content or attend a politically sensitive event on your behalf, you remain responsible for the outcome.”
 |
Ouyang Nana’s case is particularly sensitive due to her visible affiliations with mainland initiatives. She has previously reposted content supporting military exercises and rhetoric favouring the so-called "armed reunification" of Taiwan. Most recently, she was appointed as a tourism ambassador by the Culture and Tourism Bureau of Ji’an, a city in Jiangxi Province, China—further fuelling debate over the nature of her involvement in state-affiliated promotions.
Despite this, MAC officials have clarified that the ambassadorial role in itself may not constitute a direct violation, given that such positions are typically symbolic and unrelated to military or governmental command. Nonetheless, they maintain that the broader context of Ouyang’s political expressions will be considered in the ongoing assessment.
The outcome of these investigations could set a significant precedent for how Taiwan navigates its increasingly fraught cultural and political relationship with the mainland—particularly in an era when the personal expressions of public figures can carry serious geopolitical weight.