PRC Influence in Taiwan’s Grassroots Society

Event Description:

The Global Taiwan Institute (GTI) is pleased to invite you to a panel discussion titled “PRC Influence in Taiwan’s Grassroots Society.”

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has long sought to bypass Taiwan’s traditional power centers in Taipei, and build connections with influential local actors in Taiwanese communities—including temple leaders, rural elected officials, and organized crime bosses. This strategy suits Beijing because its political influence campaigns are harder to observe, and can reach individuals who do not already hold strong political views. But in order to reach Taiwanese society, the CCP requires intermediaries on the island. Some—but by no means all—leaders in Taiwanese local communities, such as temple chairmen and organized crime bosses, have participated in CCP-organized influence initiatives such as certain religious exchanges or alleged cash transfers to local citizens. But how do you investigate these secretive interactions, while preserving Taiwanese citizens’ rights to pursue cross-Strait engagement?

In this GTI seminar, Ben Sando—Research Fellow at GTI—will explain the long-standing relationship between temples and local political power in Taiwan, as well as how some organized crime leaders have co-opted temples and used them to pursue self-enriching outreach with CCP actors. J. Michael Cole, Senior Non-Resident Fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, will share his research on one of Taiwan’s most notorious gangsters, Chang An-lo (AKA “The White Wolf), and the Chinese Unification Promotion Party that he runs in Taiwan. Dr. Sher Chien Yuan, Professor at National Sun Yat Sen University, will brief listeners on his influential 2024 academic paper that found that voting populations near Mazu temples in Kaohsiung have been trending towards China-friendly political candidates. Finally, Simona Fantová of Sinopsis will provide context on the structure of cross-Strait religious exchanges, and how they may or may not provide CCP-aligned actors opportunities to persuade Taiwanese citizens on diplomatic policy.

The event will be held at GTI’s office located at 1836 Jefferson Place NW in Washington DC (approximately one block from the Dupont Circle Metro). Doors will open at 10:30 AM, and the event will begin at 11:00 PM. Light brunch food will be provided. Please direct questions or concerns to Senior Programs Manager Abby Fu at afu@globaltaiwan.org.

**Media: Please contact Ben Sando at bsando@globaltaiwan.org if you would like to bring additional crew members or equipment, so that we can be sure to accommodate you.