Chinese actor Zhang Linghe won’t be able to hold a fan meeting in Taiwan after his application was rejected by authorities. Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council denied his application, citing concerns over potential united front activities and his past political statements. They said that the 28-year-old actor made statements they considered to undermine Taiwan’s status while his appearance at the Cross-Strait Forum was described as having a united front agenda. The council also said the purpose of Zhang Linghe’s proposed visit was unclear and that the event could carry political implications.
Taiwan’s authorities stressed that they welcomed normal cultural exchanges but would not accept activities they considered to have a united front agenda. Meanwhile, China’s Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Zhang Han also issued a statement, urging Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities to “remove unreasonable restrictions.”
Zhang Linghe shot up to widespread fame following the success of his drama Pursuit of Jade. Days later, the actor took to social media to pay tribute to Chinese patriots, reposting a letter written by a soldier to his parents in 1942. One line, in particular, read, “Unfortunately, mountains and rivers lie between us, and thousands of miles separate us. It is truly heartbreaking.” Given that Taiwan and mainland China are separated by the Taiwan Strait, his choice of words has prompted speculation about whether he was indirectly expressing his feelings about his recent situation.
