Political talk shows did not exist on Chinese television until relatively recently. Political discussions within the country are arranged in such a way that even discussions of foreign policy can touch on issues sensitive to domestic policy. That’s why invited experts remain rare, even in state television news programs.
From the late 1990s to the mid-2000s, the first host-led talk shows began to appear in China, but many were shut down for handling topics in a way that harmed the authorities. Topics ranging from LGBT rights to debates on state ideology came under censorship.
“In the absence of real opportunities to discuss matters of public interest, most Chinese talk shows offer only emotional solidarity to the audience,” said Wu Changchang, a Chinese media researcher and professor at East China Normal University, in 2020. colon For the Sixth Tone.
Ultimately, this pushed Chinese television to feature just one political show named China Now. A distinctive feature of the program is its mentoring tone toward viewers and the absence of genuine discussion. The creators guide the audience through how world politics works from the official Beijing position, and the few audience questions are mostly of an official nature.
Presenters generally do not argue from opposing viewpoints. Instead, they act like like-minded colleagues on nearly every topic.
The permanent host is Professor Zhang Weiwei, known for his influence on modern Chinese ideology. Reports suggest that in 2021 he gave a lecture on propaganda to Xi Jinping and other CCP Politburo members, earning the informal nickname sovereign mentor. Zhang’s company partners with Chinese journalist He Jie, a veteran of local television journalism. Each episode includes an external expert who is sometimes allowed to deliver the keynote at the start of the program.
Since the program started in 2019, the authors have focused on China’s place in the world and its impact on global politics. Some recent talk shows include China’s World-Shaking Industrial Revolution, Deconstruction of the West-Central Theory, Chinese Patriotism, and Chinese Ideas That Can Impact the World.
Taiwanese issues appeared on the agenda as a major topic only once in December 2019. The Taiwan matter remains a visible but indirect theme on China Now’s schedule.
In August 2021, a feature titled The History of China’s Millennium-Year Military System and the Glorious History of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army was published, just before an important visit by the US House Speaker to Taiwan. The producers marked the anniversary of the PLA’s founding and acknowledged Taiwan’s sensitive status in the same frame.
“If something like Taiwanese independence happens, war is possible. And victory would be pursued,” remarked an invited expert on the program, addressing the same question raised by the audience.
“This speaks to a great rebirth of the nation, especially now when conflicts are unfolding worldwide. The struggle is being fought on multiple fronts,” the invited expert added, answering the same query.
A few days after the US official’s visit, state-run CCTV aired a piece showing residents criticizing the local government’s decision to host the guest. “Look at how many people gathered here. They came of their own will, and many believe Taiwan should stay peaceful in its relations with the mainland,” the segment concluded.
In the same issue, commentators from Taipei and Beijing, including Yu Zixiang of Shi Xin University and Yu Qiang from the School of Marxism at Beijing University of Technology and Business, joined as invited experts.
Pelosi has long been seen as an adversary to China. However, her stance faced criticism, with some reminding viewers of her positions on the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing and support for pro‑independence voices in Hong Kong.
“Even before Pelosi’s arrival, people in Taiwan expressed dissatisfaction with the visit,” Yu Qiang observed. His colleague Yu Zixiang from Taipei noted that the trip stirred discontent and intensified tensions in the Taiwan Strait. “Crossing the red line could be a risk when a high-ranking US official visits,” the Taiwanese expert warned.
State television in the region is organized differently, with a more centralized approach. In April 2022, Taiwanese authorities investigated Xiamen Star TV for opening a studio in Taipei to produce political content, including talk shows.
Two programs, Across the Bosphorus and Cloud Living Room Along the Bosphorus, featured Taiwanese hosts discussing PRC relations with Taiwan. With well-known Taiwanese experts, the shows underscored Taiwan’s relatively weaker position in the conflict with mainland China.
Amid the Pelosi visit crisis, Chinese broadcasters ramped up activity, producing material that scrutinized Taiwan’s authorities. The day after the visit, the Beyond the Strait program highlighted Taiwan’s military readiness by inviting a Taiwanese expert to critique local aviation and defense capabilities.
Taiwanese look
Local scholars note that Taiwan’s political television debate grew from the country’s democratization in the 1980s. The early 1990s saw the emergence of Taiwan’s first political talk shows, and the format has since flourished, with roughly 10 political talk shows currently on air nationwide.
Compared with mainland China, Taiwan hosts more political television content, yet Taiwanese programming is also criticized for polarization. Researchers observe a strong tilt toward either pro‑China Kuomintang or pro‑independence Taiwan Democratic Progressive Party in many outlets, contributing to societal divisions.
Nearly every Taiwanese channel features political programs or news broadcasts that invite experts. Programs such as IT News and Sanlih E-TV are especially prominent, leveraging live coverage of major events like Pelosi’s visit.
One well-known show, Face to Face on Era News since 2010, brings together a host with guests who include lawyers, activists, and politicians. Unlike its mainland counterpart, Taiwanese programs typically encourage active debate and present two sides in most discussions.
Guests often arrive with maps, quotes, and infographics to back their positions. In a recent episode, many participants displayed maps of Taiwan alongside Chinese naval exercises to illustrate points about regional power dynamics.
The central focus around Pelosi’s visit was less about the US politician and more about Beijing’s response. Experts explored scenarios like a potential blockade and the broader implications for regional security.
Local officials stressed preparedness, acknowledging the supply chain and energy considerations that would influence national resilience in a protracted crisis.
Opposition voices contended that the trip energized the public and highlighted the importance of regional cooperation, while supporters argued that such visits can shape public sentiment and strategic calculations. A prominent journalist offered context on Beijing’s stance, describing the CCP’s posture as provocative by some observers, while others argued that it triggers necessary scrutiny of regional policies.
Overall, the discussion on Taiwan’s television landscape reflects a broader media environment where politics, national narratives, and cross-strait relations remain deeply entangled with public discourse and policy direction.