Taiwan's government is pushing back after a Taipei temple site became the setting for pro-unification promotional content aimed at Taiwanese audiences — a warning sign for anyone watching Beijing's soft-power tactics ahead of elections.

• A private group renting hall space at the Taipei Confucius Temple used it to film "cross-strait Hanfu" promotional material.
• Footage of participants traveling to China for "roots-seeking" trips aired on Chinese state media in Xiamen.
• Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council said culture must not become a political propaganda tool and will rebut Beijing's use of it.
• Officials note the real gap between Taiwan and China is the political system, not shared language or culture.
• More such exchange activities are expected as Taiwan heads into an election period later this year.

Outlook: Taipei will tighten screening of cross-strait cultural exchanges, and similar events already planned for the coming months are likely to face scrutiny.