Local disapproval over cancellation of Digital Minister’s participation in conference in SK

Taipei/Taiwan – Taiwan has strongly protested with South Korea after a conference invitation to one of the country’s Digital Minister Audrey Tang was canceled at the last minute over “cross-Strait issues”, which indicates ties between Taipei and Beijing.

Taiwan’s Digital Minister Audrey Tang was set to speak online at the 4th Global Policy Conference on the 4th Industrial Revolution in South Korea’s capital, Seoul, on Dec 16.

Yet, the island’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Joanne Ou, said that the invitation was canceled with organizers, citing “various aspects of cross-Strait issues were taken into consideration”.

She claimed that the Korean government invoked the cross-strait relations when asked about the elimination, but failed to provide further reasons and motives when the Taiwan representative office in South Korea lodged a protest.

Speaking to A24 News Agency, president of Taiwan Digital Diplomacy Association Kuo Chiayo reiterated that such incidents are very common when it comes to Taiwan’s participation in international events.

Even when organizers invite Taipei, it does not enjoy equal rights as other participating countries, according to Chiayo.

“When we arrive at the event itself, there will be lots of surprises. For example, showing the national flag will be forbidden. Or you will not be allowed to pronounce the word ‘Taiwan’. We eventually know that we do not have the same rights as other participants,” she stressed. 

As for digital minister’s invitation, Chiayo attributed the likely reason to speech content that goes against organizers’ ideas and their event. 

For her part, Chiayo pointed out that public opinion and media headlines influence local governments’ attitude towards Taiwan, calling on people to support the country so they “can still have the freedom to speak and defend our rights on the international stage.”

“The issue of Taiwan’s sovereignty is a main diplomatic topic and argument within the cyberworld and international media.” 

Meanwhile, people believe that China must have something to do with the issue because such an important decision of considering cross-strait relations should be taken beforehand not at the last moment. 

Describing the cancelation as “an impolite act”, citizen Scott Lai said “China must be behind this. For Taiwanese people, China’s suppression is a common phenomenon. We are no stranger to this.”