[Today's Prayer] Pressure from Chinese Authorities... Thai Exhibition Removes Content on Ethnic Minority Independence

China reportedly intervened in the removal and removal of artwork related to ethnic minorities and Hong Kong independence from a recent exhibition in Thailand. Chinese diplomatic authorities claimed the exhibits "damaged China's core interests and political dignity."

According to the Global Times, an English-language newspaper affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party's People's Daily, on the 12th, the Chinese Embassy in Thailand stated, "Issues related to Xinjiang, Tibet, and Hong Kong are purely China's internal affairs." They added, "An exhibition in Thailand ignored this fact and blatantly promoted the myths of 'Tibetan independence,' 'East Turkestan,' and 'Hong Kong independence.'"

Reuters previously reported on the 8th (local time) that exhibits related to China's oppression of ethnic minorities and Hong Kong were removed and removed at the request of the Chinese government from an exhibition titled "Authoritarian Government" at the Bangkok Art and Culture Center (BACC), a leading art museum in Thailand.

Reuters initially reported that the Chinese government and the Thai Embassy in Thailand did not respond to requests for comment. However, three days later, the Thai Embassy in Thailand issued an official statement expressing its protest.

(Omitted)

The Chinese government has maintained a firm stance on the governance of ethnic minority regions and Hong Kong, declaring them "core interests" that cannot be compromised with the outside world.

Regarding the Tibetan Autonomous Region in western China, the government denies claims by the Dalai Lama and others seeking independence, maintaining that the region voluntarily ceded to China in 1951.

Xinjiang, a northwestern region inhabited by the Uyghur minority, is called "East Turkestan" by independence activists among them. China views the name as an artificial concept born from foreign intervention and a slogan that promotes extremism and terrorism. Hong Kong has been governed by China under the "One Country, Two Systems" principle since sovereignty was returned to China from Britain in 1997.

Regarding the removal and removal of some exhibits, the gallery stated, "We received warnings from the Chinese Embassy, conveyed through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, that this exhibition risks causing diplomatic tensions between Thailand and China." The gallery had no choice but to make adjustments (in accordance with the Chinese Embassy's demands), including obscuring the names of Hong Kong, Tibetan, and Uyghur artists.

The Chinese Embassy in Thailand stated, "China opposes engaging in political manipulation and interfering in China's internal affairs under the pretext of cultural and artistic exchange."

Source: Yonhap News

The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. (Psalm 18:2)

God, we have heard that, at the request of the Chinese government, some artwork from an exhibition on "authoritarian government" held in Thailand recently had its content about ethnic minorities in China and Hong Kong independence removed or deleted.

Please, Lord, repay the actions of the Chinese government, which oppresses 55 ethnic minorities who constantly oppose China with their desire for independence, deprives them of their freedom through policies, and pursues assimilation with China.

Please rescue the ethnic minorities in China who seek to channel their hatred toward China into false religions like Islam and Buddhism from the pain of oppression, guide them on the right path, and let them rely on You, who is like a fortress and a shield to which they can escape.

Furthermore, please grant that the ethnic minorities in China may place their national identity in God's hands, be cleansed by the blood of the cross, cast off their old selves, and become renewed citizens of God's kingdom.

To this end, may the Chinese church care for the ethnic minorities in China and spread the gospel, repent the Chinese government's mistakes, and take the lead in achieving reconciliation and unity in Christ.

May the global church continue to spread the gospel to the ethnic minorities in China who have escaped persecution and are scattered throughout the countries surrounding China. As we seek out the ethnic minorities in China, may we encounter those whom God has prepared.

May the ethnic minorities in China unite with the global church as those who will prepare the way for the Lord's return to the ends of the earth, living for Jesus and the gospel. May they rise up as a national church that proclaims the Lord's return and proclaims the joy of salvation to all nations!