China's Taiwan Affairs Office has warned entertainer Kang-Yong Tsai against being a "two-faced person," a move Taiwanese lawmakers call political intimidation of artists.

• Tsai appeared at a campaign event for DPP Taipei mayoral candidate Puma Shen, which drew Beijing's rebuke.
• Beijing's line: no one can profit from the mainland market while associating with "Taiwan independence" forces.
• DPP legislator Pei-Yu Chen called it persecution of a creator and a challenge to Taiwanese free will.
• The underlying lever is market access — China uses its huge audience to force public loyalty statements from Taiwanese performers.
• Chen urged artists not to stay silent, arguing retreat only pushes the censorship line further.

Outlook: Expect more Taiwanese entertainers working in China to face pressure over political appearances as Taiwan's local elections approach.