From Dw · · 50s
Taiwan's Cultural Voice Under Pressure
China restricts Taiwan's cultural visibility through soft power tactics.
In brief
China restricts Taiwan's cultural visibility through soft power tactics. China monitors Taiwan's international presence to suppress cultural expression. Originally reported by Dw.
Taiwan Travelogue Prize
Taiwanese author Yang Shuang-zi's book won the 2026 International Booker Prize.
“In 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine, I made the explicit decision that rather than translating Sinophone works indiscriminately, I would only translate writing from Taiwan for the foreseeable future”
Political Translation Concerns
Yang translated the book into English but faced criticism over cultural representation.
“Literature and politics are directly connected”
China's Reaction
China's Taiwan Affairs Office criticized the book's focus on Taiwan's history.
“Writers from both sides of the Taiwan Strait should firmly uphold a national standpoint, respect historical facts, and squarely face the immense suffering inflicted upon the Chinese people ... by Japan's war of aggression and fascism”
Taiwan's Cultural Identity
Taiwanese culture blends Indigenous, Japanese colonial and local Han influences.
“The idea that politics can just be kept out of it doesn't exist”
Translation Controversy
Yang's interpreter shortened statements during a Munich book tour event.
“The interpreter later admitted that there had been oversights and shortcomings in the translation but denied deliberately deleting content due to their political stance”
China's Monitoring Tactics
China targets Taiwan's international engagement through soft power restrictions.
“The target of suppression and harassment primarily include outspoken individuals, exiled activists, diaspora community organizers, alongside their family members and close affiliates back home”
Cultural Suppression Cases
China removed Taiwan's representation from international competitions and monitored activists.
“In April this year, Taiwanese barista Lin Shao-hsing won the 2026 World Latte Art Championship in the United States”
International Response
The US and international bodies report China's interference with Taiwan's cultural visibility.
“It reflects the ambiguity and limitation of international law, that the PRC using soft power to restrict the visibility of Taiwan may not directly fall into international law arena”
What matters most
China monitors Taiwan's international presence to suppress cultural expression.
