Photo: screen shot of Sina Weibo posts

 




Chinese mainland netizens have given a thumbs up for celebrities from Taiwan island for backing national reunification, following dozens of them declaring themselves amidst the spread of Taiwan regional leader Lai Ching-te's separatist inaugural speech.

A number of some celebrities on the Taiwan island forwarded a post which read: The complete reunification of the motherland can be achieved and Taiwan will eventually return to the embrace of the motherland. 

Among the celebrities include Patty Hou Pei Tsen, Angela Chang Shao-Han, Rainie Yang Cheng Lin, Nana Ouyang, Alec Su You-peng, Jeffrey Chang Shin-che and Kenji Wu.

The original post was published by China Central Television (CCTV) on Sina Weibo on May 22, in which said "Taiwan independence is a dead end and it cannot stop the irreversible trend of China's reunification… China will eventually achieve complete reunification…Taiwan is not a country and never it will be."

The post was reposted by more than 16 million times and garnered more than 960,000 likes as of press time. 

Mainland netizens overwhelmingly displayed great support for these celebrities taking a clear stance on the Taiwan question. Some expressed that "as the reunification process draws nearer, the concept of neutrality becomes increasingly difficult to maintain."

Some netizens also expressed hopes to see more people from the island to take a stand. 

Others suggested film and television media organizers do more  background research before inviting the public figures from the island to the mainland and those who support "Taiwan independence" are not welcomed to make money on the mainland.

The CCTV emphasized late Saturday that Lai is peddling the "two-state theory," pushing Taiwan compatriots into a dangerous situation of military danger and war, causing dissatisfaction and concern among people from all walks of life in Taiwan.  

The CCTV post continued that some celebrities from Taiwan have expressed their support for reunification with the motherland. This once again illustrates that rejuvenation and national unity are the general trend, the right thing to do, and the will of the people. 

Lai has taken a more radical stance by seeking "Taiwan independence" in his speech upon assuming the role of Taiwan region's new leader. Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office on May 21 described Lai as "a traitor to mainstream public opinion on the island and a disruptor of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait."

As a response, the Chinese People's Liberation Army launched a military exercise surrounding the island of Taiwan in a move aiming to punish "Taiwan independence" secessionist forces