Beijing has escalated its interference in Taiwan's local elections to what Taiwanese security officials call "military level," a worrying sign for artists, business people, and anyone in Taiwan's public life.

• A People's Liberation Army media outlet attacked TV host Kang-Yung Tsai for appearing at a campaign launch for a DPP Taipei mayoral candidate.
• This is the first time Beijing has used military media to threaten Taiwanese artists and step into a local election.
• Such disputes used to be handled by China's Taiwan Affairs Office or party papers like the People's Daily, not the army's own press.
• Taiwanese officials say the goal is to scare celebrities, business owners, and public figures into distancing themselves from parties Beijing dislikes.
• The outlet involved reports to China's top military command and normally comments on Taiwan Strait drills and US-China military friction.

Outlook: Expect more military-flavored pressure and online influence campaigns as Taiwan's local elections draw closer.