TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — KMT's chair election, which takes place this Saturday, is dealing with possible Chinese influence through videos, Nikkei Asia reported Tuesday.

KMT chair candidate Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌) said “foreign forces” and “cyberwarriors” have attempted to “damage” his campaign through online attacks. He did not explicitly name Beijing but insinuated that China was behind the interference.

Hau said on his social media that the online attacks “were unlike anything he had experienced in over three decades in politics.” He warned that fake polls, fake news, and AI-generated content were distorting the election and damaging trust inside the KMT.

The DPP has repeatedly proposed stronger national security measures to counter interference before, which the KMT has opposed while pursuing closer ties with China. Hau told Nikkei Asia at an event that it is difficult for Taiwan to investigate outside forces.

On Monday, KMT Vice Chair Lien Sheng-wen (連勝文) urged all candidates to avoid smear tactics and focus on unity. He said fake accounts were spreading lies, adding that such infighting only weakens the party.

NSB Director-General Tsai Ming-yen (蔡明彥) said investigators found over 1,000 TikTok videos and 200 YouTube clips about the KMT's upcoming chair election, with more than half of the accounts based overseas, CNA reported Wednesday. 

Tsai confirmed that officials are probing possible foreign involvement. He said that the Cabinet is studying legal changes to enhance Taiwan’s national security.