Chinese participants of the Gwangju Biennale will withdraw in Gwangju on Thursday morning in protest over the organizer allowing Taiwanese participants to use the name Taiwan Pavilion. The Chinese side, including the Chinese Embassy in Korea, says the name change violates the One China principle. The organizer later apologized amid criticism and the controversy could grow into a diplomatic row between Korea and China.
An exhibition hall of the Gwangju Biennale / Courtesy of Gwangju Biennale Foundation
Chinese participants of the Gwangju Biennale will announce their withdrawal from the art exhibition on Thursday morning, in protest of the organizer’s permission for Taiwanese participants to use the name “Taiwan Pavilion” instead of their institutional name, a source familiar with the issue said.
The Chinese side, together with the Chinese Embassy in Korea, argues the change of name goes against the “One China” principle that Korea has committed to respect.
According to the source, the Chinese participants decided to withdraw from the Gwangju Biennale and will make an official announcement at a press conference on Thursday morning — two days before the international art festival starts — unless the organizer reverses its decision. They already stopped preparations for the China Pavilion several days ago.
