China targets Taiwan’s youth with subsidised tours to East Turkistan amid human rights concerns

China has reportedly launched an effort to attract young people from Taiwan to join heavily subsidised tours to East Turkistan, hoping to divert attention from the region’s genocide and severe human rights abuses.

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has long sought to bring Taiwan under its control, utilising both soft power tactics and, when necessary, military force. Beijing’s “soft power” campaign has included offering paid trips to Taiwan’s social media influencers and celebrities to promote China’s political narrative.

Now, Beijing is targeting Taiwanese citizens aged 16-40 with a nine-day tour to East Turkistan, organised by the Federation of Taiwan Compatriots in East Turkistan, Radio Free Asia reported. The trip, advertised on Taiwan’s popular PTT Bulletin Board, requires participants to pay NTD 24,800 (around USD 755), with China covering all other expenses, including travel, accommodation, and insurance.

However, the tour comes with a condition: participants must provide personal information such as Taiwanese ID card numbers, educational background, workplace details, emergency contacts, and phone numbers, Radio Free Asia reported.

Xiao Haoyu, who participated in the tour, said that they were exposed to government propaganda during their visit, but it turned out to be false: “During the tour, they emphasized how they helped Uyghurs overcome poverty and develop in a modern way. But I still saw many adobe houses and shacks.” Xiao Haoyu also described his observations of primary school students, noting that classes are taught in Chinese, and that children are taught political propaganda rather than real knowledge.

This has raised concerns, with critics accusing the Chinese government of attempting to distract from the ongoing human rights violations in East Turkistan, where millions of Uyghurs and other Turkic-speaking groups have been subjected to mass incarceration, forced labour, and “re-education” camps.

Meanwhile, Taiwanese volunteer organisation Waker has come under scrutiny for sending volunteers to East Turkistan. Critics argue that Waker’s actions are aiding in “whitewashing” the human rights abuses in the region.

This development underscores China’s growing influence operations aimed at shaping international perceptions, particularly among Taiwan’s younger generation.