Wednesday, September 23, 2026 from 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM (ET)
In-person and Webcast
About the Event
The Global Taiwan Institute (GTI) is pleased to invite you to a public seminar titled “PRC Influence in Taiwan’s Grassroots Society.”
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has long sought to bypass Taiwan’s traditional power centers in Taipei, and build connections with influential local actors in Taiwanese communities—including temple leaders, rural elected officials, and organized crime bosses. This strategy suits Beijing because its political influence campaigns are thereby harder to observe, and can reach individuals who do not otherwise hold strong political views. But in order to reach Taiwanese society, the CCP requires intermediaries on the island. A narrow set of leaders in Taiwanese local communities—such as temple chairmen and alleged organized crime figures—have participated in CCP-organized influence initiatives, such as certain religious exchanges and cash transfers to local citizens. But how do you investigate these secretive interactions, while preserving Taiwanese citizens’ rights to pursue cross-Strait engagement?
In this seminar, GTI Research Fellow Ben Sando will explain the long-standing relationship between temples and local political power in Taiwan, as well as how some organized crime leaders have co-opted certain temples and used them to pursue self-enriching outreach with CCP actors. J. Michael Cole, Senior Non-Resident Fellow at the Global Taiwan Institute, will share his research on one of Taiwan’s most notorious gangsters, Chang An-lo (AKA “The White Wolf”), and the Chinese Unification Promotion Party that he runs in Taiwan. Dr. Sher Chien Yuan, Professor at National Sun Yat-sen University, will brief listeners on his influential 2024 academic paper that found that voting populations near Mazu temples in Kaohsiung have been trending toward more China-friendly political candidates. Finally, Simona Fantová of Sinopsis will provide context on the structure of cross-Strait religious exchanges, and the areas in which they may provide CCP-aligned actors opportunities to influence Taiwanese citizens, as well as their limitations.
Please direct questions or concerns to Senior Programs Manager Abby Fu at afu@globaltaiwan.org.
This event is supported by a grant from the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy.
Event Details
Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM (ET) (Doors open at 10:30 AM)
Location: Global Taiwan Institute
1836 Jefferson Pl NW, Washington, DC 20036
RSVP is only required for in-person attendance. The event will also be livestreamed on GTI’s Youtube channel for virtual participants.
Doors will open at 10:30 AM, and the event will begin at 11:00 AM. If you plan on attending in-person, please RSVP by September 21, as seating is limited. A light brunch will be provided.
Media Inquiries
Members of the media planning to attend with additional crew or equipment should contact Abby Fu, Senior Programs Manager, at afu@globaltaiwan.org to ensure proper accommodation.
About GTI
The Global Taiwan Institute is a 501(c)(3) think tank dedicated to deepening understanding of Taiwan, and strengthening US-Taiwan relations through research, policy outreach, and public engagement.