Tencent's online streaming video service -Tencent Video, has earlier established a presence in Taiwan through Hong Kong investment company Image Future Investment.Launched the service under the name WeTV, and launched iOS and Android platform versions of the app, allowing users in Taiwan to download and use it through the App Store or Google Play service.
Prior to this, iQiyi was also "introduced" through the Taiwanese agent Otintin, and Tencent Video services also entered the Taiwanese market through the same method, thereby attracting more Taiwanese users.
WeTV charges a monthly fee of NT$190, with a NT$90 discount during the trial period. A quarterly subscription costs NT$560, with a NT$250 discount during the trial period. The control interface automatically switches streaming resolution based on current network speed, offering intuitive playback controls and adjustable brightness, playback speed, and volume.
In fact, Taiwan has not yet allowed Chinese streaming video services to set up companies in Taiwan for operation, but Tencent Video has followed the model of iQiyi and opened it to Taiwan through the "agent" of a Hong Kong investment company. Because it has not established a registered office in Taiwan, it does not need to pay taxes in Taiwan. At the same time, if users encounter problems with the service, they must resolve it through overseas contact methods, otherwise they may face difficulties in seeking help.
In response to iQiyi and Tencent Video opening up to users in Taiwan in the form of WeTV, and Hunan Satellite TV's Mango TV also opening up to users outside of China, including Taiwan, through its international version, and streaming video services including Youku Video and Sohu may also enter the Taiwanese market in the near future, some voices are now suggesting that Taiwanese laws and regulations can allow Chinese-funded streaming video services to legally enter the island.
Currently, Taiwanese regulations require that overseas streaming video services establish subsidiaries or branches in Taiwan and provide local customer service systems. Otherwise, they are not permitted to operate in Taiwan or charge for services. According to the Mainland Affairs Council, due to the principle of reciprocity, there are currently no plans for direct opening.
However, Taiwan may also amend some provisions of the Copyright Act. In addition to cracking down on the use of built-in programs in set-top boxes to allow users to link to infringing websites to watch illegally recorded video content, or restricting the use of apps that can provide downloads and access to illegal video content through online platforms, it may also be used to prevent overseas streaming video services such as those from China from illegally operating in Taiwan.
But for ordinary users, whether they can easily see the content they want to watch is obviously the key point. Generally, when faced with the problem of being unable to watch normally or having to pay for use, most people will give up because the single fee is not high. However, for institutions such as the Mainland Affairs Council and the Ministry of Economic Affairs, there are also considerations such as the inability to collect operating taxes and whether Chinese capital will affect Taiwan's industrial operations.
