TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC, 僑務委員會) has raised concerns about China's use of Lunar New Year celebrations as a tool for cultural influence. OCAC Minister Hsu Chia-ching (徐佳青) warned on Monday (March 17) of China's strategy, highlighting the distribution of over 70,000 "Spring Festival Care Packages" (新春暖心包) through its embassies. These small gifts, according to Hsu, are part of a broader effort to win over overseas Chinese communities.
Minister Hsu presented a report on the OCAC's activities to the Legislative Yuan's Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee (立法院外交及國防委員會). The council's written report detailed the contents of the care packages, which included locally themed items and were distributed before Lunar New Year's Eve, specifically targeting overseas Chinese communities.
In response to these perceived infiltration attempts, Minister Hsu noted that many democratic countries have taken action. These measures include adopting foreign agent laws and arresting individuals suspected of collaborating with China. Hsu emphasized that the international community is growing increasingly wary of China's influence campaigns. She suggested that the impact of these efforts is primarily limited to a small number of overseas Chinese communities in countries participating in the "Belt and Road Initiative" (B&R, 一帶一路).
Minister Hsu downplayed the impact of the gift packages on Taiwanese expatriates. However, she stressed the importance of accurately assessing the situation and closely monitoring whether China is employing financial incentives to sway public opinion within overseas Chinese communities.