Lai Yueh-chien, a retired Taiwanese political warfare colonel, told Chinese media that Taiwanese who do not identify as Chinese should "please move away," and subsequently said Chung T'ien Television had cancelled his scheduled appearances. Both the broadcaster and government officials rejected his account, damaging his personal image.

• In an interview with Chinese media, Lai Yueh-chien said Taiwan "belongs to us Chinese" and told Taiwanese who do not accept a Chinese identity to move away.
• He alleged that the cancellation of his appearances on Chung T'ien was the result of DPP pressure and the station aligning itself with the ruling party; Chung T'ien issued a six-point statement in rebuttal.
• Chung T'ien said he himself sent a message in August saying he would no longer appear on its programmes, and that the layoff of his wife, former anchor Chou Yu-chin, was purely a labour dispute.
• An official familiar with cross-strait affairs responded that Taiwan has no shortage of pro-Beijing figures and that the government has not blacklisted anyone, adding: "Don't flatter yourself."
• The official stressed that Taiwan protects freedom of speech, and that the Chinese Communist Party's methods of suppressing dissent should not be projected onto Taiwan's government.

Outlook: The dispute is likely to keep simmering in the short term within the broader argument over free speech and pro-Beijing rhetoric, but it is unlikely to change policy.