China artists quit S.Korea art show after organisers let ‘Taiwan’ be used in name of exhibition

Chinese artists have withdrawn from a major South Korean art exhibition after organizers allowed the name "Taiwan" to be used in the title of a pavilion, according to officials. The Gwangju Biennale, one of Asia's largest contemporary art events, is scheduled to open on Saturday in the southwestern city of Gwangju. The dispute arose when Taiwanese artists initially called their exhibition the "Taiwan Pavilion," but the name was changed to "NTMoFA" without their consent in June.

The artists accused the organizers of political censorship, alleging that their identity as Taiwan was "brutally erased" from the exhibition poster. In response, China has condemned the decision, insisting that Taiwan is part of its territory and threatening force to annex the self-ruled island. The Gwangju Biennale foundation later reversed its position and agreed to restore the original name "Taiwan Pavilion."

However, Chinese artists halted their preparations for the pavilion and formally announced their withdrawal on Thursday. A spokesperson for the foundation confirmed the withdrawal, and China's consulate general in Gwangju expressed strong disapproval, stating that the incident violates the "One China principle." South Korea's foreign ministry attempted to defuse the situation, emphasizing that the decision was made in the cultural and artistic sphere and unrelated to the South Korean government's stance on Taiwan.

The ministry urged the two countries to avoid any impact on their existing relations and cooperation.