Taiwan bans Chinese rapper

Taiwan has canceled a concert by Chinese rapper Wang Yitai, scheduled for September 14, after he referred to Taipei as 'Taipei, China' in promotional materials, a term that implies the city is under Beijing's control. The Taiwanese government's Mainland Affairs Council announced the ban, emphasizing that any derogatory references to Taiwan's status are unacceptable and that cross-strait exchanges must be based on mutual respect. Wang, who is associated with a Chengdu rap label, is not widely known outside of China but has faced backlash for associations with nationalistic themes. This incident highlights Taiwan's ongoing tensions with China, which often bans Taiwanese artists for supporting the island's independence. The term 'Chinese Taipei' is used for Taiwan in international events to avoid directly challenging China's claims, further complicating the island's diplomatic status. The cancellation of Wang's concert illustrates Taiwan's strict stance against any perceived infringement on its sovereignty.