Discord as Taiwanese children’s choir uninvited from event on Chinese mainland
Taiwanese youngsters sang island’s anthem at ceremony to swear in Tsai Ing-wen, whose party leans towards formally declaring independence from mainland
Organisers of a festival on the mainland have cancelled a performance by a children’s choir from Taiwan after they sang at the inauguration of the island’s new president, Tsai Ing-wen.
Taiwanese politicians described the move as part of Beijing’s attempts to pressure the island’s new government, which leans towards independence, into backing the “1992 consensus” and the “one China” principle.
The Puzangalan Choir, made up of children from Taiwan’s native Paiwan indigenous tribe, was due to perform at the opening of the 7th Chinese Children’s Choirs Festival in Zhongshan city, Guangdong, on July 20.
Citing “sensitivities”, the event’s organiser notified the choir last month that its invitation had been cancelled after it performed the Taiwanese anthem at Tsai’s inauguration.
“It was about a week after our choir sang the anthem,” said choir leader Wu Sheng-ying yesterday.
Wu said she had been warned about the consequences of singing at the inauguration. “We have no regrets at all as it was a great honour for us to be able to give our performance,” she said.