Is China seeking to restrict Taiwan's cultural presence?
From coffee competitions to literature awards, Beijing appears to be working to limit Taiwan's international cultural and political impact on its own terms.
Chinese authorities are seeking to limit Taiwan's cultural presence on the international stage, according to statements made after Taiwanese author Yang Shuang-zi's Taiwan Travelogue won the 2026 Booker Prize. The Chinese Taiwan Affairs Office expressed concern that authors from both sides of the Taiwan Strait should adhere to a national standpoint, respect historical facts, and confront the suffering inflicted upon the Chinese people by Japan's aggression and fascism.
Yang's book showcases that Taiwanese culture is multifaceted, incorporating Indigenous, Japanese colonial, and local Han influences, rather than being a mere branch of Chinese culture. This perspective has prompted Chinese reactions, as the People's Republic of China views Taiwan as its territory and has threatened to use force to take control of the island.
Taiwan has functioned with a degree of de facto independence since 1949, maintaining its own government, military, and legal systems while facing military pressure from Beijing. China has employed various tactics, such as suppressing outspoken individuals and altering official websites, to control Taiwan's international engagement.
These actions have targeted activists, diaspora community organizers, and their families, reflecting the ambiguity of international law in addressing China's attempts to limit Taiwan's cultural visibility.
Written by urgent.news from DW News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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