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TAIPEI: Taiwan's opposition will screen two controversial films on Tibet and Xinjiang on China's National Day, an official said Wednesday, in a move likely to irritate Beijing.
"We will show two films vigorously suppressed by the Chinese government to demonstrate Taiwan's voice (supporting) freedom and democracy," said Lo Wen-jia, an official at the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
"Our voice will not change by China's bullying and interference," he said on his blog.
The free screening of "Leaving Fear Behind" about alleged Chinese repression in Tibet and "The 10 Conditions of Love", a biopic about exiled Uighur leader Rebiya Kadeer, is set for Thursday in five cities, he said.
Beijing celebrates 60 years of communist rule on that day.
Taiwan's government last week barred a planned visit by Kadeer citing national security concerns, after saying her World Uighur Congress has close links to the East Turkestan Islamic Movement – a group listed as a terrorist organisation by the United States.
Kadeer flatly rejected the charge, and a Taiwanese group advocating independence from China said she plans to sue the island's government for linking her organisation to terrorism.
"She is planning to sue unless the Taiwanese government apologises and clears her name," said Marie Lin of the Taiwan Youth Anti-Communist Corps, one of the local bodies that invited her to visit.
If Taiwan's government had granted Kadeer a visa, it would in all likelihood have infuriated Beijing, which says she is a "criminal" who orchestrated ethnic violence in northwest China's Xinjiang region in July.
Kadeer, in an interview with the Taipei-based Next Magazine, again expressed indignation at the terrorist allegations.
"The World Uighur Congress has never had anything to do with the East Turkestan Islamic Movement. I do not wish for nor support violent means," she told the weekly in Washington.
She reiterated that her organisation had received grants from the United States and blasted Taiwanese officials for making "reckless" and "irresponsible" remarks.
"I can back down or keep silent on many accusations but I can't remain silent on terrorist claims. I don't care if the Chinese authorities are making the accusation because everybody knows they are liars," she said.
"Taiwan is a democratic country and it is irresponsible to accuse our organisation (of terrorism)."
"Leaving Fear Behind" features interviews with ordinary Tibetans about China, the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the Dalai Lama.
The film has landed its director, Dhondup Wangchen of China's Tibetan minority, in jail since March last year.
- AFP/yb
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