The organizer has reviewed... A Taiwanese photographer who participated in an exhibition in Nanjing was "handcuffed and detained" | Lawyer Li Yusheng explains the legal issues related to the review of publications in mainland China

The organizer has reviewed...Taiwanese photographer participating in the exhibition in Nanjing was "handcuffed and detained"｜China Television News Comprehensive Report

News link:https://news.cts.com.tw/cts/life/202406/202406062333732.html

A Taiwanese photographer, with the theme of "gay portraits", has taken many related works and has exhibited them in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, China. Unexpectedly, at the Nanjing Art Book Fair this time, he was suspected of violating the "distribution of obscene materials" "Crime", he was handcuffed and administratively detained by the Chinese police. In an exclusive interview with China Television News, he also pointed out that before the exhibition, he had already handed over the details of the works to be exhibited, and the organizer also agreed to the exhibition, so why would he still do it? Breaking local laws? Some lawyers pointed out that China has strict censorship of publications. It is possible that poor communication between the organizer and the relevant Chinese censorship units led to misunderstandings.

Holding a bouquet in hand, happily leaving a souvenir, the Taiwanese photographer signed up to participate in an art book fair in Nanjing, China. He never expected that he would violate Chinese law. Photographer Lin Jiaheng said: "On the first day we set up the exhibition, he (the organizer) said that the cultural and publicity department would come and put away the books that were not published in China first. Even if they were not put up for 30 minutes, there would be seven or eight of them so-called cultural propaganda. The police came over and started taking pictures of each of my books, and then asked me what the content was, and then they called the police, who said they would take me away."

The person involved said that before participating in the book fair, he had submitted all the photographic works and other information on display to the organizer for review, and that his shooting style was mainly "gay photography", and the organizer also approved it, but he still He was accused of "spreading obscene materials" and was administratively detained by the Chinese police in accordance with the law. Photographer Lin Jiahen said: "We went to the police station first. Before the police station, we went to my hotel and searched it again. Then we took me to the public security bureau. The public security bureau should be like our detention center, which means handcuffing and then We need to take our mobile phones away and tell him the password. Then after entering, we will strip and check, leaving fingerprints, palm prints, blood and irises."

The client was taken to his room starting at 1:30 p.m., searched one by one, and then taken to the police station for interrogation. He was handcuffed by the Public Security Bureau until he was released at 12 a.m. the next day. Photographer Lin Jiahen said: "I have been to Guangzhou and Shenzhen. It was relatively normal, and nothing too special happened. I was very afraid of what might happen (afterward)." Lawyer Li Yusheng said, "Although he applied for permission from the exhibition party in this case, the exhibition party may not be the one after all. The mainland’s official public security unit, so even if the exhibition is approved, whether it complies with the mainland’s publication laws may still require the perpetrators to pay attention.” The person involved hopes that through his own experience, he can remind anyone who wants to participate in an exhibition in China. Publication requirements, even if endorsed by the organizer, still require special attention.

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