Chinese hip-hop singer Wang Yitai is set to perform in Taiwan on September 14th. It was reported by the media that Wang Yitai promoted the concert as “China Taipei.” Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council stated that the government does not allow any form of promotion that diminishes Taiwan’s status, in accordance with the regulations on people from mainland China entering Taiwan.
According to Taiwan’s Liberty Times, Chinese hip-hop singer Wang Yitai used “Next Stop, China Taipei” as the promotion for his album. His concert on September 14 in Taipei has already sold out.
Information obtained from Taiwan’s official sources indicates that Wang Yitai’s promotional materials in China diminish Taiwan by using slogans like “Next Stop, China Taipei” and filming promotional photos with signs showing “Beijing → China Taipei.” The content even mentions “heading south towards the North Return Line, within the return line, there will be a homecoming.” Additionally, the concert organizers started selling tickets on July 1st and only submitted the application on July 10th.
In response, Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council stated that the promotional content by this Mainland China artist has violated the regulations on people from mainland China entering Taiwan, and thus, after discussion by the joint review committee of relevant agencies, permission was denied by law.
The Mainland Affairs Council of Taiwan emphasized that the government welcomes artists from mainland China to perform and engage in cultural exchanges in Taiwan. However, they also stressed that cross-strait exchanges should adhere to the principles of equality and dignity, and promotion that diminishes Taiwan’s status will not be tolerated.
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislative Yuan Caucus Chief Whip Wu Sih-yao, in a media interview today, expressed respect for the review results jointly made by the Mainland Affairs Council and the joint review committee. According to the current regulations on the entry of people from mainland China into Taiwan, any actions that violate the principles of equality and dignity should be stopped and their entry applications revoked in accordance with the regulations in Taiwan.