China Central Television (CCTV) blurred out a pin of the Taiwan flag worn by President Ma Ying-jeou during a television report on Ma’s press conference about his historic meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Ma addressed foreign and local reporters on Thursday after the meeting between the two leaders was confirmed. They will meet in Singapore this Saturday.
It will be the first time Chinese and Taiwanese presidents have met in 66 years. The meeting has caused controversy in Taiwan.
Chinese media have hailed the landmark summit as “the common wish” of the people in Taiwan and mainland China, although many have expressed doubts and worries about it in the island nation.
When Ma’s press conference was televised, the state-owned broadcaster CCTV censored out the flag, which Ma wore on his suit.
The Taiwanese president was asked by a reporter whether or not he would wear the pin to the Singapore meeting. Ma said he would not wear it, as it would be “awkward.” This part of the press conference was not aired on CCTV.
Noticing the censorship, Chen Chi-mai, a lawmaker from Taiwan’s opposition Democratic Progressive Party, wrote on Facebook that China has completely blocked the ROC. “Where is the promised dignity and equality?” Chen said.
