Part 9/12:
The cultural facets of this Sino-Taiwanese relationship reveal a deep divide. Taiwanese artists, once celebrated in China, now face online attacks if they express support for democratic values or speak against Beijing’s narrative. The controversy over Taiwanese singer He Beitan eating spaghetti in 2022 epitomizes these cultural tensions, as minor gestures are politicized.
Furthermore, Taiwan's youth are forging their own national identity, which strongly rejects Beijing’s assertions. Polls show that about 80% of Taiwanese prefer maintaining the status quo—neither declaring formal independence nor pursuing reunification—highlighting a nuanced and complex public sentiment.