Book World Prague organizer defends Taiwan's national flag against China's protest

Prague, May 16 (CNA) Despite pressure from China, the national flag of the Republic of China (Taiwan's official name) remains displayed at a stand showcasing Taiwanese literature at the 2025 Book World Prague, thanks to support from the book fair's organizer.

"Maybe (China) doesn't understand that we are a democratic country, that we have freedom of speech and freedom of expression, which are very important values for our book fair," Radovan Auer, the event's director, told CNA in a Friday interview.

Pointing to the fair's special award and section dedicated to freedom of speech, Auer added, "We are the last ones who would decide to put some flags away."

He emphasized that displaying the flag is legitimate, stating it is "not against any law of the Czech Republic."

China's protest came after it requested the book fair organizer change the title in the online search column from "Countries" to "Countries and regions," arguing that Taiwan, the name under which it is participating, is not a sovereign country.

Although the organizer complied with the request to rename the search column, the Taiwanese publisher participating in the book fair, Mi:Lu Publishing, later placed a Republic of China national flag at its stand.

Chiang Tzu-hsuan (江子瑄), editor-in-chief of Mi:Lu Publishing's Taiwan branch, told CNA that the move was meant to prevent Taiwan's sovereignty from being diminished.

Auer also revealed that China had asked the organizer not to distribute printed catalogs after discovering they mentioned a partnership with Taiwan's Ministry of Culture, an appeal he refused.

Auer said China had also contacted the Czech Ministry of Culture, expressing hope that he would be replaced with someone "more friendly to China." The ministry declined, saying it cannot interfere with book fairs organized by civil society groups, according to Auer.

Auer described China's protests as an "annual custom," adding that he feels no pressure and views the issue as "a game."

According to Auer, China has not participated in the event in recent years after several exiled Chinese writers were invited. This year, however, two Chinese publishers are attending the book fair.

Taiwan is taking part in the ongoing book fair through Mi:Lu Publishing, which is participating for the fourth time and has been introducing Taiwanese literary works to Czech audiences for years.

Taiwanese authors appearing at Mi:Lu Publishing's stand include Tong Wei-ger (童偉格) and Chi Ta-wei (紀大偉).

The event, first held in 1995, runs through Sunday at the Prague Exhibition Grounds.