A documentary video has caused controversy in Taiwan after a Chinese businessman was filmed encouraging Taiwanese citizens to apply for Chinese IDs, apparently unaware that what he said would later become public.

Lin Jincheng, the head of a startup incubator for Taiwanese youth in China's Fujian Province, said in the video that those offered Chinese IDs would be allowed to retain their Taiwanese citizenship and passport, which would go against Taiwanese law.

As indicated in the video, the supposed incentive is easier access for Taiwanese to the Chinese market. As Lin emphasized, Taiwanese with a Chinese ID could register a company in China and, for example, start a cross-border e-commerce business, purchase property and take out bank loans.

Yun Wang, an associate professor specializing in cross-strait relations at Taiwan's National Chengchi University, told DW that although "Taiwan strongly resists unification with China, there is significant interest in profiting from the Chinese market."

"The Communist Party has taken full advantage of this dynamic," Wang........

© Deutsche Welle