Taiwan Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) has said that China uses pressure on foreign media as part of a broader campaign of coercion, warning that Beijing “weaponizes everything” from tourism to trade and investment to promote its political aims. 

Lin said China has used “differential” treatment against media outlets over reports that describe Taiwan as a country or use Taiwanese officials’ titles. He said Beijing has canceled visas and blocked hotel stays and interviews as part of efforts to pressure foreign media over Taiwan-related coverage. He said these methods are “potentially effective.”

“There are some bottom lines or red lines that we must hold firm,” Lin said. “Other media need to help media outlets that are being bullied. We cannot treat this as someone else’s problem.”

He said Beijing conflates other countries’ one-China policies with its one-China principle, and is pressuring some countries to adopt “increasingly extreme” language on Taiwan. “It weaponizes tourism, trade, and investment. It weaponizes everything,” he said.

The foreign minister made the remarks at a briefing hosted by the Taiwan Foreign Correspondents' Club (TFCC) in Taipei on Wednesday, June 17.

International media organizations have faced growing pressure from China in recent years. In one high profile case, China expelled New York Times China correspondent Vivian Wang in February, after the outlet conducted a video interview with Taiwan President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) in December 2025. China’s Foreign Ministry acknowledged on June 1 that Wang’s residence permit had been revoked, accusing the newspaper of violating its one-China principle by giving Lai a platform and referring to Taiwan as a country.