Repercussions Grow After China-Taiwan Clash at Gwangju Biennale; MOFA Says Its Respect for the One-China Principle Is "Unchanged"

[Financial News] Repercussions are growing after Chinese artists decided to withdraw from the exhibition over the name of the Taiwan Pavilion inside the Gwangju Biennale exhibition hall.
Concerns are also emerging over a diplomatic dispute after friction between China and South Korea erupted in the private art sector shortly after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi concluded his recent visit to South Korea.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other sources on the 3rd, the incident began when China protested the issue of the "Taiwan Pavilion" at the 16th Gwangju Biennale and decided to withdraw its pavilion (special exhibition hall) exhibition.
The Chinese exhibition team held a press conference that day at the Ha Jung-woong Art Museum in Gwangju and announced, "We unanimously decided to withdraw from the exhibition to express our strong protest."
The Chinese Embassy in South Korea also issued a statement criticizing the organizers, saying, "The organizers openly allowed the Taiwan region of China to use a name that does not correspond to its status in any way," and adding, "This directly undermines the political foundation of China-South Korea relations."
The Chinese Embassy in South Korea escalated its criticism, saying, "Although the South Korean government has stated that there is no change in its commitment to the One-China principle, a very small number of South Korean politicians and civic groups are crossing China's red line on the Taiwan issue."
Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City issued an apology on the 31st of last month, explaining, "The name Taiwan Pavilion is merely an expression entrusted to participating artists within the realm of art; it does not mean that Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City or the Gwangju Biennale recognizes Taiwan as a country." However, the situation has not subsided.
A delegation of six people, including Haizhou, secretary-general of the Standing Committee of the Guangzhou Municipal People’s Congress, notified officials the previous day that it would not participate in its scheduled visit to Jeonnam Gwangju on the 6th and 7th.
MOFA explained that there has been no change in the South Korean government's position of respecting the One-China principle in connection with the matter. It said the decision resulted from an independent judgment in the private cultural and artistic sector and is unrelated to the South Korean government's position on Taiwan.
A MOFA official stated, "We hope this incident will not affect China-South Korea relations or exchanges and cooperation between the two countries," adding, "There is no change in the government's basic position on the One-China principle."


[email protected] Kim Kyung-soo Reporter