Taipei: Taiwanese online celebrity Holger Chen concluded a six-day, five-night trip to Shanghai on Sunday, emphasizing that he financed the trip with his own resources amid extensive media coverage in Taiwan. Chen, often referred to as “gym manager” in Taiwanese media, asserted that he “never degraded Taiwan, never said Taiwan was not good” despite accusations of belittling his homeland by praising China.

According to Focus Taiwan, Chen addressed critics who speculated about his financial motives, suggesting they focused on monetary aspects because they “didn’t know what to say.” He firmly stated that he did not engage in business negotiations during the trip but expressed hope for future commercial opportunities in China. Chen arrived in Shanghai on Tuesday, expressing his aspiration to serve as an “ambassador of peace” and encourage more cross-strait exchanges during his first visit to China.

Chen pledged to livestream the entire visit to his large Taiwanese following, a move that Liang Wen-chieh, deputy head of Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), noted required permission from Chinese authorities. However, Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), stated on Wednesday that Chen traveled to Shanghai independently. Despite this, the Chinese official welcomed Taiwanese, including internet celebrities like Chen, to experience China’s cuisine, efficient transportation, and quality products.

Chen’s livestreams garnered significant attention, with hundreds of thousands in Taiwan watching him explore China and interact with locals. These interactions were widely shared on Chinese social media platforms. During his trip, Chen encountered potentially delicate situations, such as not directly answering when asked, “What country are you from?” This question is often sensitive for Taiwanese individuals in China, given Beijing’s claim over Taiwan.

Chen faced criticism for praising China’s “good infrastructure and trendy elements” at Shanghai Pudong International Airport, comments he claimed were “taken out of context” by Taiwanese media. His remark about milk tea prices in Taiwan, suggesting they could reach as high as NT$800 (US$27), also puzzled many viewers. Chen shared that he once harbored strong animosity toward China and never anticipated visiting. However, recent online information changed his perceptions, leading him to self-fund the trip to “show the truth to everyone.”