Culture Minister Says Taiwan’s Existence Is a ‘Mirror’ That Reveals China

Taipei: Taiwan's Minister of Culture, Li Yuan, stated in a radio interview in France that Taiwan's existence and culture serve as a "mirror" that reflects the true nature of China, describing it as a painful reality for the Chinese government. According to Focus Taiwan, Li expressed during his interview with Radio France Internationale (RFI) that China's inability to achieve what Taiwan has demonstrated fuels its desire for Taiwan's non-existence. He critiqued China's frequent emphasis on the grandeur and historical depth of its culture, suggesting that true cultural strength is evident in the daily lives of people and requires neither deliberate definition nor promotion. Li advocated that an authentically powerful culture should not boast about itself nor fear external perceptions or treatments. This statement was made in Chinese, emphasizing Taiwan's cultural confidence and resilience. Li's European tour began last Sunday in Britain, where he engaged with cultural institutions and facilitated a partnersh ip between Taiwan's National Museum of Taiwan Literature and the United Kingdom's National Centre for Writing. On Thursday, he continued to France, participating in events related to the Taiwan-France Cultural Award, including its judging and presentation ceremony. Li is expected to return to Taiwan next Wednesday. Throughout his European visit, Li met with cultural and literary figures to discuss potential collaborations in literature, comics, and digital arts. In France, he explored a planned cultural facility in Saint-Denis and discussed collaborative opportunities in digital art, focusing on joint exhibitions, co-productions, and artist development.