Taipei Confucius Temple used for pro-unification video, city councilor calls for ending contract
A Taipei councilor says a Chinese-clothing group rented space at the city's Confucius Temple and used it to film pro-Beijing propaganda, an embarrassment for the city government.
- The group, which rents the temple's hall for a monthly fee under a four-year contract, hung banners in simplified Chinese promoting a "cross-strait" trip to Shandong while filming there during the Dragon Boat Festival.
- Young Taiwanese who appeared in the footage later traveled to China and turned up on Xiamen Satellite TV, a state outlet whose job is aimed squarely at Taiwan.
- Councilor Lin Liang-chun wants the city to cut off any funding, claw back money already given, and refuse to renew or re-tender the contract when it expires.
- The civil affairs commissioner admitted the city knew nothing until people flagged it online, and an early check found the group has close ties to China.
- The same organizers plan a "Taiwan Hanfu Festival" at Ximen Red House in late November.
Outlook: The city has promised a deeper investigation, and pressure will build to cancel the temple lease and scrutinize the November event.