Chinese consulate tried to block Taiwanese writer's talk in Munich
Munich’s Literaturhaus was approached by the Chinese consulate to cancel a reading by Taiwanese author Yang Shuang-tzu, but the institute refused. The event was later marred by an interpreter who avoided translating politically sensitive terms.
According to Chao Yen-ching, director of Taiwan’s representative office in Munich, officials from the Chinese consulate in Munich reached out to Literaturhaus München before Yang Shuang-tzu’s scheduled reading and asked the venue to cancel the event, proposing a replacement featuring a Chinese author and offering financial support. Literaturhaus München’s managing director, Tanja Graf, confirmed the request, and the institute refused to cancel.
The reading, which featured Yang’s International Booker-prize-winning novel "Taiwan Travelogue," was later disrupted by interpreter Tsao Chang-chen, who failed to translate key political terms such as "Republic of China" and "Taiwan," and softened references to China’s “cognitive warfare.” Attendees lodged complaints, leading Chao to file a grievance with the interpreter and the event’s moderator. The organizers were described as shocked and embarrassed by the interpreter’s actions. Yang later remarked that the attempted interference underscored how literature cannot be separated from politics, while Chao noted possible Chinese influence over some audience members.
Why it matters
It shows how diplomatic pressure can affect cultural events and free expression abroad.
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