TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Culture Minister Li Yuan (李遠) said Thursday that China’s attempt to pressure a Thai film festival showed its fear of Taiwan’s cultural influence.
Thaiger reported that a person claiming to represent the Chinese Embassy demanded that a film festival in Bangkok remove Taiwan’s culture ministry logo from promotional materials. The organizers, however, refused the request.
Speaking at the Taiwan Comics exhibition, Li thanked Thai organizers for refusing the demand. He said the incident showed that China uses many methods to limit Taiwan’s international presence, CNA reported.
Li said the festival screened documentaries, short films, and feature films from Taiwan. The program featured Ang Lee’s (李安) “Pushing Hands” and “The Wedding Banquet,” along with more recent films from Taiwan.
Taiwan’s films, comics, picture books, and literature reflect a free and diverse society, Li said. He added that many of the ideas presented in these works cannot be openly discussed in China.
Li said more Taiwan comics are reaching overseas readers through translation. He said their wide range of subjects helps Taiwan’s comics industry compete globally and develop a distinct identity.
Li said cultural works can help people around the world better understand Taiwan. He hoped that more Taiwanese animation, comics, films, and other creative works would reach overseas audiences.
