Guangzhou City Suddenly Cancels TEDx Talk... "Concerns Over Foreign Influence"

The authorities in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China, canceled the TEDx event over concerns about foreign influence.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is waving to residents during an inspection tour in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, southern China, on April 11.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to Bloomberg on the 31st, the non-governmental organization (NGO) 'TEDx Guangzhou' stated in a statement posted on its social media account that the TEDx event scheduled for the 13th of next month was canceled by local authorities due to concerns about foreign influence. Local police reportedly pointed out that the event did not meet the requirements stipulated by laws related to foreign NGOs.

TEDx is an event independently operated in various locations for communities, organizations, or individuals, following the format of the U.S.-based knowledge-sharing network 'TED' (Technology Entertainment Design). Speakers at the upcoming TEDx Guangzhou event were scheduled to cover topics such as art, school bullying, and nanomedicine.

According to Bloomberg, since President Xi Jinping came to power, China has intensified crackdowns on NGOs. Foreign NGOs are required to register with authorities under laws that demand strict reporting to the government. According to the law enacted in 2017, organizations without a representative office in China must have a government sponsor or a local partner to operate. Bloomberg reported that several events this year in China, including outdoor concerts featuring foreign performers, were canceled without clear reasons.

Meanwhile, last month, a comedian who parodied President Xi's remarks was effectively expelled, and his agency was reportedly fined a large sum and had assets confiscated. The theater where the performance took place was also fined 100,000 yuan (approximately 18 million won).

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.