An arts centre in Hong Kong hosting the city’s annual international literary festival has cancelled appearances by Ma Jian, the exiled Chinese writer said on Thursday, in the latest example of China tightening its control on freedom of expression.
A n arts centre in Hong Kong hosting the city’s annual international literary festival has cancelled appearances by Ma Jian, the exiled Chinese writer said on Thursday, in the latest example of China tightening its control on freedom of expression.
Ma, who now lives in London and whose books are banned in China, was due to promote his latest novel at the festival this weekend.
China Dream is a dark satire inspired by the propaganda catchphrase of Xi Jinping, the president of China.
The writer posted on Twitter that both his festival speaking engagements scheduled for Saturday had been called off by the Tai Kwun Arts Centre, not festival organisers who are trying to find an alternative venue.
«Just been told that my two events at the Hong Kong International Literary Festival this week can no longer be held at Tai Kwun, where all the other events are taking place,” Mr Ma wrote in his tweet. “An alternative venue will have to be found. No reason has been given to me yet.”
A spate of recent events have stoked concerns that l iberties in Hong Kong are under serious threat from an increasingly aggressive China.
