China defends censorship of Bangkok art show
The exhibition, which opened on July 24, 'promoted the fallacies of so-called 'Tibetan independence', 'the East Turkestan Islamic Movement' and 'Hong Kong independence',' distorted China's policies and 'undermined China's core interests and political dignity', the foreign ministry replied to Reuters questions about the show.
The Bangkok Arts and Cultural Centre removed or altered artworks on Hong Kong as well as the Chinese government's treatment of ethnic minorities in Tibet and Xinjiang at the request of the Chinese embassy.
The Chinese foreign ministry neither confirmed nor denied that the embassy was behind the removal and alteration.
China has been building its influence in Southeast Asia, where governments tread cautiously as they balance cooperation with the regional economic giant against concerns over political sovereignty.
The Bangkok show, 'Constellation of Complicity: Visualising the Global Machinery of Authoritarian Solidarity', had a theme of authoritarian governments and featured multiple works by artists in exile.
The co-curator, the gallery and the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
'The fact that the relevant country took timely measures precisely shows that the promotion of the fallacies of 'Tibetan independence', 'East Turkestan Islamic Movement' and 'Hong Kong independence' has no market internationally and is unpopular,' the Chinese ministry said, referring to Thailand.
China is against anyone 'using the guise of cultural and artistic exchange to engage in political manipulation and interfere in China's internal affairs', it added.
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