Hakka Children's Choir Renamed by WSCM; Hakka Affairs Council Demands Correction or Refusal to Participate

(CNA) The Hakka Affairs Council (HAC) today sternly condemned the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) for pressuring the World Choral Symposium (WSCM) to unilaterally change the name of the National Taiwan Hakka Children's Choir to "China Taiwan"; it called for an immediate correction of the name, stating that they will refuse to participate if it is not rectified.

The Hakka Affairs Council held a press conference today to express its strong protest against the WSCM official website, where the original name "National Taiwan Hakka Children's Choir" was altered to "China Taiwan Hakka Children's Choir" due to CCP intervention and pressure.

The HAC demands that the organizers promptly correct the name to uphold Taiwan's dignity and rights in international cultural affairs.

The HAC explained that while the WSCM official website listed the choir as "National Taiwan Hakka Children's Choir" in March and April of this year, it was suddenly changed to "China Taiwan Hakka Children's Choir" on June 22, with the country name altered from "Taiwan" to "China Taiwan."

The HAC pointed out that a council member of the International Federation for Choral Music (IFCM), the organizer, previously expressed concern, believing Taiwan should not be treated unfairly. However, the event also received subsidies from the Macau government, and this change was made according to the Macau government's instructions, otherwise, the WSCM could not be held.

HAC Minister Tseng Yu-fen stated at the press conference that the National Taiwan Hakka Children's Choir was established in 2019 and is now managed by the Hakka Public Communication Foundation, with government support. She emphasized that individuals have dignity, and nations have national dignity, which cannot be trampled upon or diminished, and therefore, she strongly condemned the CCP.

Tseng Yu-fen acknowledged the organizers' pressure but stressed that the name "National Taiwan Hakka Children's Choir" represents institutional identity and autonomy and cannot be altered by the organizers. She urged the organizers to respect this and revert the name, stating that they will refuse to participate if the name is not changed back.

Tseng Yu-fen highlighted that the world's only Hakka Children's Choir is in Taiwan, and Taiwanese children showcase the unique style, charm, and confidence of Hakka language and music. Despite this unreasonable treatment by the CCP, they will continue to engage internationally, allowing the world to see Taiwan and hear the Hakka culture.

Tseng Yu-fen also called on Hakka people worldwide to recognize the nature of the CCP, which spares no effort to suppress even children's Hakka music performances. However, she asserted that "the more they suppress, the more it will flourish." She emphasized that Taiwan is a free and democratic country that never compromises and will unite with free and democratic nations to walk the right path.

The WSCM is held every three years and is considered the largest and most artistically pure top-tier choral event, often referred to as the "Olympics of Choral Music." (Editor: Li Hsi-chang) 0624

Stand with facts, and your every donation is a force to protect press freedom.

Download the CNA "One-Stop News" APP for real-time updates.

The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or used without authorization.