Taiwanese internet celebrity Chen Zhihan's recent livestream of his visit to Shanghai sparked intense attention and controversy across the Taiwan Strait. Some praised him for "breaking prejudice," while others criticized him for "becoming a model of united front work." From exclamations of "the high-speed rail is smooth" to praises of "the toilet has a door," was this livestream a genuine transformation or just a publicity stunt? Public opinion has clearly divided.
Last week, Taiwanese influencer Chen Zhihan, known as "The Curator," appeared in Shanghai for dinner with former entertainer Wang Xiaofei, live-streaming his video on YouTube. According to Lianhe Zaobao, the number of online viewers that night exceeded 430,000, setting a new record for Taiwanese YouTube. In the following days, his livestreams included tours of high-speed rail, a maglev train, shopping, restroom visits, and trash can inspections, maintaining a high level of engagement. Tencent News reported that the streams had accumulated 1.9 million views per day.
Mainland writers criticize "curator" for being a chameleon
An anonymous Sichuanese writer called the "curator's" Shanghai visit a "performance." In an interview with Radio Free Asia on Monday (the 16th), he penned a short poem commenting on the "curator": "Taiwanese chameleon, a little social reptile, who can sell his father for the sake of internet celebrity." The unnamed writer explained, "In the past, Chen Zhihan was considered a representative figure in Taiwan who loves Taiwan and opposes China, even criticizing the CCP and supporting democracy. Now, he's shouting 'Shanghai's development surpasses Taiwan' during a live broadcast, sparking resentment among some Taiwanese netizens and intellectuals. I also think the curator is like a 'chameleon.'"
During the live broadcast, Chen Zhihan showed an expression of amazement from time to time, praising the mainland's high-speed rail seats for "having backrests", the toilets for being "clean and having doors", the "food delivery robots" and "the city's strong human touch". His words completely overturned his previous critical stance towards mainland China.
Zhang Zhixing, an early member of the Chongqing Pan-Blue Alliance, told this station that, in his observation, the "curator" isn't an internet celebrity with a political stance, but rather someone who curries favor with those in power and pursues fame and fortune at all costs. "Although he has numerous fans and influence in Taiwan, he mentally humbles himself in the face of 'big moments' and survives on flattery. Many mainland netizens have no interest in him personally and instead agree with Ba Jiong's views."
The reason this "mainland tour" sparked a wave of public opinion wasn't just due to the volume of viewers, but also due to a surprising shift in the curator's attitude. Chen Zhihan, who has long touted his anti-communist and anti-China stance and has repeatedly criticized China's system and human rights issues on his shows, this time emphatically praised mainland China's infrastructure and social atmosphere during his live broadcast.
Chinese netizens noticed that Chen Zhihan was on the high-speed rail, and he exclaimed, "There's a backrest!", "Wow! There's a door in the toilet!", "There's even a food delivery robot!" Shuttled between shopping malls and residential houses, and he praised Shanghai for "even the community trash cans are smart", "the people are very enthusiastic", and even lamented that "the mainland's construction is really so far ahead."
Chen Zhihan also publicly stated, "Taiwanese people should go out more often and see the outside world, instead of being cocooned in their own cocoons." He even called for the restoration of cross-strait exchange mechanisms such as the Cross-Strait Forum. "We are obviously one family, why are we quarreling?"
Taiwanese people need to understand Beijing's Taiwan strategy
In this regard, Mr. Huang, a retired teacher from Guizhou, told this station in an interview that on cross-strait relations, the Beijing authorities consistently manipulate public opinion among Taiwan's 23 million people through media outlets, sparing no expense and employing various means to advance their so-called unification goals. He said, "Chen Zhihan's trip to Shanghai isn't just a one-man show, but part of a larger united front effort. In an era dominated by social media algorithms, self-media has become one of the most powerful united front tools, and mainland China is well aware of this. If Taiwanese people want to truly understand the 'curator,' they must first understand the CCP."
Chen Zhihan's remarks in Shanghai have garnered recognition and praise from some people in mainland China. Some netizens reportedly called him a "civilian peace ambassador" and "smash rumors with real-life experience," believing that his livestream allowed more young Taiwanese to see the true face of mainland China. However, many others questioned his motives, wondering if the trip was a "scripted arrangement," and even said he was "performing for the Taiwanese." A user on mainland China's Weibo commented, "Seeing him sincerely giving a thumbs-up on the high-speed train, his expression showed shock, not a show." Others said, "The toilet door and high-speed train backrest are real, but he was arranged so smoothly, like a model of soft united front work."
Taiwan's reaction was markedly contrasting. Democratic Progressive Party supporters accused him of being "pro-China and selling out Taiwan," claiming he had been subjected to "information warfare brainwashing." Some netizens mocked him for being "fence-sitter" and reported his social media posts for allegedly violating Taiwan's National Security Law.
Kuomintang Taipei City Councilor You Shuhui expressed support for the "curator's" live broadcast in mainland China, emphasizing that he "was open and transparent, telling the entire Taiwanese people bluntly and broadcasting it publicly." Democratic Progressive Party Legislative Yuan convener Ker Chien-ming bluntly stated that this was "a drama performed by the Kuomintang and the Communist Party" and criticized this behavior as a "very big insult" to the Taiwanese people.
Some young Taiwanese viewers commented in support: "I didn't realize toilets in mainland China have doors! I used to think they were filthy." "Seeing Shanghai this time really refreshed my perspective." However, Jiangsu netizen Gu Tianfang told our station: "The video of Wang Xiaofei treating the museum director to a lobster feast, with 'I Love You, China' playing in the background, and CTI following him...it all felt like a scripted tour."
The cognitive gap between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait is becoming more prominent
Chen Zhihan's trip to Shanghai brought huge traffic and public attention, but also reflected the huge gap in mutual understanding between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait.
Recently, on platforms like WeChat and TikTok, numerous Taiwanese accounts have posted videos showcasing Taiwan's social civilization and compassion. For example, they show middle school students practicing rifle shooting, MRT door attendants assisting wheelchair-bound and blind passengers, and platform staff maintaining order and ensuring the safe operation of the high-speed rail. These details have not only amazed mainland Chinese netizens but have also garnered widespread praise. One commenter lamented, "This is exactly the system I want, especially Taiwan's health insurance system, which is the best in the world."
Zhejiang student Lu Hao expressed the question of whether Chen Zhihan played a "peace messenger," a traffic-generating artist, or a "tributary figure." The answer may not be important. What matters is that this trip has allowed us to see more clearly: in a field of public opinion where truth and falsehood are mixed and positions are divided, a "truly fragrant" turn of events can provoke not only applause but also thunderous questioning.
