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A growing presence of Chinese social media content is reshaping Taiwan’s digital landscape.
Image Source: Getty
“Sometimes, I worry that younger kids won’t defend Taiwan’s values as strongly as we did,” says a Taiwanese millennial, voicing concerns about China’s growing influence on teens through social media.
The Taiwanese youth is often associated with the 2014 Sunflower Movement—a student-led protest against a controversial China trade deal. That generation, which is highly engaged in political issues, has maintained its scepticism of China, particularly the latter’s political and media influence, and their perceptions of those across the Taiwan Strait are unlikely to be swayed in terms of soft-power tactics. However, the current digital and cultural landscape may be instrumental in shaping teenagers’ perspectives on China, which may diverge from those of past generations.
The current digital and cultural landscape may be instrumental in shaping teenagers’ perspectives on China, which may diverge from those of past generations.
Concerns are mounting over the increasing presence of Chinese social media content on Taiwanese users’ feeds. Shared language makes content between Chinese and Taiwanese accounts more seamless. TikTok and RedNote, two popular Chinese platforms for short videos and lifestyle content, have a large user base in Taiwan.
As Taiwanese teenagers consume more Chinese short videos and engage with Chinese netizens online, they are increasingly adopting slang from across the Strait in daily conversations. According to a recent survey conducted by this author in Taiwan, 75 percent of respondents aged 20–35 years expressed unease over teens adopting language from China, such as the use of terms like 短视频 (duǎn shì pín) for ‘short video’ instead of the Taiwanese Mandarin 短影片 (duǎn yǐng piàn). Among respondents in the 20–35 years age group, 78 percent of respondents stated that they consciously try to avoid using such language, whereas none of the teenagers surveyed expressed a desire to do the same.
While older youth seem more resistant to using expressions from China, why are teenagers more willing to embrace them?
Could this trend indicate a softening of attitudes towards China among teenagers? Meanwhile, the older sub-generation recoils at the spread of 支語 (zhīyǔ)—a term used pejoratively to describe language from China—reflecting a cultural divide among Taiwan’s youth—one that may be going unnoticed. Subtle shifts in language, after all, can impact how societies relate to one another.
Young people adopting slang through social media is not new. For example, in the United Kingdom, with the proliferation of American television shows and the dominance of American culture on social media, young people have increasingly adopted American slang—a phenomenon that has been amplified by Gen-Z social media users. This trend neither raises alarm nor suggests that British people feel closer to Americans.
Associate Professor Tai Yu-Hui notes that Taiwanese youth have similarly adopted Korean expressions after watching Korean dramas and that this has not impacted their identity. Indeed, Taiwan has long been influenced by various nations and cultures, yet people’s identities remain deeply rooted. Recent surveys by Pew Research Centre and National Chengchi University suggest that young Taiwanese continue to view themselves as distinct from China and show no signs of wanting closer ties.
The rise of Chinese social media is not necessarily unique to Taiwan and may reflect the growing global interest in China as a rising power—less a cause for alarm and more a byproduct of China’s expanding influence.
However, given Taiwan-China relations and Xi Jinping’s reunification goals, this trend warrants closer examination. While military tensions dominate headlines, more subtle methods of influence are also at work. China is also heavily investing in soft power strategies to appeal to Taiwan’s younger generations.
Since 2023, concerns have grown over Chinese social media influencers shaping discourse in Taiwan. Reports include allegations of Taiwanese influencers receiving Chinese government funding to spread propaganda—a topic that Taiwan Plus covered recently.
The primary concern is not that Taiwanese youth will lose their sense of identity but that exposure to positive yet manipulated content—designed to amplify pro-China narratives, distort domestic voices, and discredit Taiwan’s democracy and allies—could subtly influence perceptions of China.
This is not a call to distrust all content from China or encourage an assumption that all content is part of a coordinated state-led effort to manipulate audiences. It is important to avoid attributing malign intentions to every post we encounter.
What we do know, however, is that we are at a cultural inflection point. As Chinese social media content occupies increasing space on Taiwanese screens, this is an opportune moment to turn our attention to the youngest (sub) generations and examine any emerging variations in their opinions. In years to come, such shifts could have broader implications.
This exploration takes place against the backdrop of a broader cultural transformation. Where did this transformation begin?
For decades, Taiwanese pop culture defined trends across the Chinese-speaking world; until the 2000s, China looked to Taiwan for the latest styles and stars. While Taiwan remains influential, China’s entertainment industry has also grown, with the most pronounced shift in entertainment evident in social media.
China’s influencer industry is projected to reach CN¥ 7 trillion (US$965.3 billion) by 2025. As the TikTok ban loomed in the United States (US), hundreds of thousands of American TikTok users created accounts on RedNote—another sign that China’s social media industry shows no signs of slowing down.
While Taiwan remains influential, China’s entertainment industry has also grown, with the most pronounced shift in entertainment evident in social media.
Taiwanese teenagers engage with TikTok at significantly higher rates than older groups; 38 percent of teens use TikTok compared to 33 percent of those aged 18–29 years and even fewer over 30. While initially drawn to light-hearted content, many teenagers now use apps like TikTok as a primary news source.
Amidst the talk of Beijing’s strengthening soft power, one question remains: Is the Taiwanese youth so easily influenced?
Many in their late 20s and 30s frequently watch Chinese short videos. While most content focuses on cooking, street food, and lifestyle, some have observed a shift from politically negative narratives to more flattering portrayals of China, displaying rural landscapes, traditional culture, and urban innovation.
Taiwanese millennials remain sceptical. “These videos just try to show how beautiful China is,” says a 31-year-old from New Taipei. Others dismiss them as “fake and whitewashed” and are confident in being able to maintain a critical perspective. This age group is less worried about their own vulnerability to Chinese influence than they are about teenagers. In a recent survey conducted by this author, 86 percent of respondents expressed concerns that teenagers are becoming more exposed to and accepting of Chinese influence. According to one respondent, “If teenagers keep using expressions from China, they’ll think it’s nothing and start feeling that both sides of the Strait are one family.”
When asked about China’s appeal, just 4 percent of older respondents found it an attractive place to live based on the content they see, compared to 20 percent of teenagers.
New data suggests that their concerns may not be unfounded. In the same survey, only 13 percent of respondents aged 20–35 years reported occasionally using expressions from China, with just 4 percent incorporating them in daily conversations. In contrast, 80 percent of teenage respondents noted occasional use, while 20 percent said such language had become part of their everyday speech.
The divide extends beyond language. When asked about China’s appeal, just 4 percent of older respondents found it an attractive place to live based on the content they see, compared to 20 percent of teenagers. One respondent, a 16-year-old from Taizhong, noted that videos showcasing China's beautiful scenery shaped their view of the country.
As teenagers come of age in a society grappling with rising housing costs and stagnant wages, could polished portrayals of Chinese life on social media hold more appeal for them?
It remains to be seen whether this trend could have long-term implications for cross-strait attitudes. At this stage, any notion of shifting attitudes is speculative, and the impact of Chinese social media content and slang on perceptions is unknown.
However, subtle shifts in how young people perceive China—whether through language or culture—should and will continue to be monitored.
While criticism of the Chinese government is prevalent in Taiwan, forming friendships with Chinese individuals or appreciating cultural elements does not equate to being pro-China.
A growing sense of familiarity with Chinese peers should not be viewed solely through a political lens. It is crucial to distinguish between personal connections and political alignments. While criticism of the Chinese government is prevalent in Taiwan, forming friendships with Chinese individuals or appreciating cultural elements does not equate to being pro-China. Bridging this binary mindset is essential. Additionally, dialogue can be vital in fostering mutual understanding and paving the way for more nuanced conversations.
As Taiwan’s youth navigate a digital world, their evolving perspectives could redefine cross-strait dynamics. Whether this signals a shift or reflects an interconnected world, one question remains: Could these generational shifts quietly redefine young Taiwanese attitudes towards China?
Laura Bonsaver is a British-Italian researcher at Taiwan NextGen Foundation, Taipei.
The views expressed above belong to the author(s). ORF research and analyses now available on Telegram! Click here to access our curated content — blogs, longforms and interviews.
Laura Bonsaver is a British Italian researcher based in Taipei. Her research focuses on UK-China and China-Taiwan relations, specialising in soft power and the role ...
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