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Letters | China must look beyond censorship and economic power to win hearts and minds
- Readers discuss how the country can win over people, what normal looks like in Hong Kong, and Article 23 legislation
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Shortly after Taiwan elected independence-leaning candidate William Lai Ching-te as leader, Chinese President Xi Jinping said the Chinese Communist Party must win the hearts of people in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan by strengthening patriotic and reunification forces.
Although this election could be seen as merely a regional issue, its impact extends far beyond the island’s coast. How can China win the hearts of Chinese inside and outside of mainland China?
China can no longer win over people with its economic growth. In recent years, China exploited its overwhelming economic power to gain support, including among many Taiwanese. For example, former presidential candidate Han Kuo-yu of the Kuomintang once tempted his supporters with promises of economic wealth from mainland China.
However, with the economic slowdown, concerns about unemployment and an ageing population, China can no longer play its economic growth card.
Censorship and propaganda are becoming less effective in ensuring social harmony. A globalised China in a digitalised era means that the government can no longer completely control information. Many mainland Chinese gained full access to information related to the Taiwanese election via the internet. Some even flew to Taiwan to observe the election.
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