TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — DPP Legislator Puma Shen (沈伯洋) warned that China is using TikTok as part of a complex cognitive warfare campaign to communicate with and influence young Taiwanese citizens who characterize themselves as noncommittal regarding cross-strait relations.

Shen spoke on Saturday at the 52nd annual Lunar New Year luncheon hosted by the Taiwanese American Federation of Northern California. His keynote address focused on China’s use of TikTok and concerns expressed by other countries seeking to ban the domestic use of the app, per CNA.

According to Shen, communicating with Taiwan citizens has been difficult for China and it has spent more than a decade pursuing this objective. TikTok is now the important tool by which China can produce attention-getting videos to communicate with Taiwanese as well as other international audiences who may be receptive to China-themed messaging.

Shen said that when China communicates through TikTok, it can shape the narrative about China, and slowly create a positive opinion that may even influence the youth vote and local politicians.

"Even if a politician in a country originally wanted to support Taiwan, but later found more voters were sympathetic to China, the politician might change his attitude toward China because votes are important."

Speaking to CNA, Shen said the international community has already discussed the threat that TikTok poses to national security, and he encouraged Taiwan to follow suit. He said the longer Taiwan delays restrictions, the more difficult it will be to ban the platform in the future.  

"For me, it is a Chinese platform. We need to block foreign forces, and I think it is important to block TikTok."

Shen said the young people have different interests and may not attach as much importance to national security. He said banning TikTok in Taiwan would incur a backlash, but as long as the risk to national security is carefully explained, he expected most young Taiwanese to be sympathetic, though discussion of such a ban may be subject to political manipulation.

According to Shen, China's propaganda operations are overwhelming, with Taiwan lacking the funds to counter this Chinese offensive. He urged Taiwan to cultivate one million hardcore defenders of Taiwan to ward off Chinese disinformation and propaganda.

Shen said that if a war breaks out across the Taiwan Strait, recent public opinion polls show 50% of Taiwanese are willing to resist such aggression, and 20% are willing to surrender without a fight, with the remaining 30% of respondents noncommittal regarding cross-strait relations.

Shen believes China's cognitive warfare campaign is targeting the 30% of Taiwanese who are noncommittal to a Chinese attack. Should China win over this category, it could achieve parity amongst the public who are willing to defend or surrender in case of war.

Thus, Shen believes the ability to sway noncommittal Taiwanese could encourage China to wage war against Taiwan in 2027, 2032, or 2035.