Wang posted a series of promotional photos on the Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu, showing him sitting on a bench in front of a signboard reading “Beijing South Station: Beijing to Taipei, China,” along with a caption that said “Next stop: Taipei, China”.
Wang’s post also said: “Head south towards the Tropic of Cancer and there will be a return in the end,” a reference seen by the Taiwanese authorities as hinting at reunification.
“The content of this mainland Chinese singer’s promotional materials violates the ‘Regulations on the Entry of Mainland Chinese Citizens into Taiwan Area.’ After cross-departmental discussions, the relevant authorities have decided not to grant approval for his entry in accordance with the law,” the Mainland Affairs Council said on Monday.
Beijing views Taiwan as part of its territory that must be reunited with the mainland, by force if necessary.
Most countries, including Taiwan’s main international supporter the United States, do not recognise Taiwan as an independent state, but Washington opposes any attempt to take the island by force and is legally bound to arm the island to help it defend itself.
Mainland laws require the island’s international sports teams to be called Chinese Taipei, a term also used by the International Olympic Committee and some other governing bodies.
The concert organiser was also accused of violating regulations that ticket sales can only start after the authorities have approved the application to stage the performance.
The Mainland Affairs Council said the event’s organiser, Mercury Entertainment, had started selling tickets on July 1, but only submitted the application to stage the show on July 10.
“The government welcomes mainland Chinese artists to Taiwan for performances and exchanges and is pleased to see cross-strait exchanges through music,” the council said.
“However, cross-strait exchanges should be conducted on the principles of equality and dignity, and any statements or promotions that undermine Taiwan’s status will not be tolerated.”
The organiser said it “currently does not have any response, and if we do, it will be posted on the official website”.
01:57
Chinese K-pop star Jackson Wang accuses media of anti-China bias
Chinese K-pop star Jackson Wang accuses media of anti-China bias
Wu Szu-yao, who leads the ruling Democratic Progressive Party’s caucus in the legislature backed the decision, saying that visiting mainlanders “must adhere to the principles of law, equality, and dignity.”
Wang Hung-wei, a legislator for the main opposition party Kuomintang party, said the ban “is clearly a political move, especially following the recent Evergreen Group’s hotel controversy”.
Evergreen apologised last week after a mainland Chinese blogger posted videos on various platforms complaining that the hotel in Paris had refused to fly the Chinese flag.
The move prompted mainland Chinese media outlets and social media users to call for a boycott of the hotel chain, prompting the group to apologise and say that it respects the “1992 consensus” – an informal understanding that states there is only one China though there are different interpretations of what that means.
The day after the apology, both the council and Taiwan’s foreign ministry condemned Beijing for “manipulating nationalism, inciting … netizens to bully and pressure Taiwanese enterprises” and “using economic pressure to interfere in politics.”
