China has cancelled planned TED Talks that were set to take place in the city of Guangzhou. As per reports, this was done over concerns that they were associated with a foreign non-governmental organisation.&nbsp;

The talks which were planned for August 13 would have been the first since the start of the Covid pandemic that came with large-scale restrictions in China.

<h2>TEDxGuangzhou</h2>

The schedule of the TEDxGuangzhou 2023 conference, as per the South China Morning Post (SCMP), included a dozen talks by artists, researchers, campus anti-bullying advocates and entrepreneurs.&nbsp;

As per the report, the event brochure also advertised small-scale discussions and workshops.

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On Monday, in a post on WeChat — China's alternative to WhatsApp — the organisers said that the Guangzhou police's office for the management of foreign non-governmental organisations has told them to "establish a domestic representative office" or apply for a temporary permit to comply with the law. &nbsp;

However, the local police are yet to issue a statement.

<h2>What the organisation said</h2>

TEDxGuangzhou has reportedly rejected the police's characterisation of associations with a foreign non-governmental organisation and said that they "are a group of local volunteers who occasionally come together to plan some activities."

"We are not an 'organisation', and there is no employment or remuneration relationship between us or with TED. Therefore, we do not fall under the jurisdiction of this law, which pertains to foreign NGOs registered overseas that wish to conduct business in China."

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In spite of this, fearing legal consequences, the organisers said that they were looking at the possibility of obtaining a temporary permit.

However, they warned that it was difficult to obtain the permit at such short notice because it requires a written agreement between TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) a North American non-profit media organisation, and its Chinese partners.

<h2>China worries about "foreign influence"</h2>

SCMP reports that the intervention comes as China sharpens its legal tools to fight "foreign infiltration."

In April 2021, China adopted an anti-espionage regulation that seeks to prevent "foreign infiltration" in key fields and, as per a PTI report, under it, the country's national security authority was to draw up lists of companies and organisations that it deemed susceptible to infiltration.

(With inputs from agencies)

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China has cancelled planned TED Talks that were set to take place in the city of Guangzhou. As per reports, this was done over concerns that they were associated with a foreign non-governmental organisation.

China has cancelled planned TED Talks that were set to take place in the city of Guangzhou. As per reports, this was done over concerns that they were associated with a foreign non-governmental organisation. The talks which were planned for August 13 would have been the first since the start of the Covid pandemic that came with large-scale restrictions in China. TEDxGuangzhou The schedule of the TEDxGuangzhou 2023 conference, as per the South China Morning Post (SCMP), included a dozen talks by artists, researchers, campus anti-bullying advocates and entrepreneurs. As per the report, the event brochure also advertised small-scale discussions and workshops. Also read | Chinese Manufacturing activity contracts for 4th straight month in July On Monday, in a post on WeChat — China's alternative to WhatsApp — the organisers said that the Guangzhou police's office for the management of foreign non-governmental organisations has told them to "establish a domestic representative office" or apply for a temporary permit to comply with the law. However, the local police are yet to issue a statement. What the organisation said TEDxGuangzhou has reportedly rejected the police's characterisation of associations with a foreign non-governmental organisation and said that they "are a group of local volunteers who occasionally come together to plan some activities." "We are not an 'organisation', and there is no employment or remuneration relationship between us or with TED. Therefore, we do not fall under the jurisdiction of this law, which pertains to foreign NGOs registered overseas that wish to conduct business in China." Also read | China's Xi examines Western Theatre Command with focus on 'air defence' In spite of this, fearing legal consequences, the organisers said that they were looking at the possibility of obtaining a temporary permit. However, they warned that it was difficult to obtain the permit at such short notice because it requires a written agreement between TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) a North American non-profit media organisation, and its Chinese partners. China worries about "foreign influence" SCMP reports that the intervention comes as China sharpens its legal tools to fight "foreign infiltration." In April 2021, China adopted an anti-espionage regulation that seeks to prevent "foreign infiltration" in key fields and, as per a PTI report, under it, the country's national security authority was to draw up lists of companies and organisations that it deemed susceptible to infiltration. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Chinese city Guangzhou cancels TEDx talks over fears of 'foreign infiltration'

A gay Singapore DJ has withdrawn from a TEDx talk at an education institute after being asked to change sections about his sexuality, saying he would not hide his "struggles and sacrifices".

Attitudes towards homosexuality remain conservative in Singapore, where sex between men is technically illegal under a colonial-era law, albeit one that is not actively enforced.

Joshua Simon, a well-known DJ on a local radio station, had been due to speak on Saturday to students aged 16 to 19 at Singapore Polytechnic.&nbsp;

TEDx events are independently organised under a free licence from TED, a nonprofit foundation that showcases lectures by influential figures.

But in a Facebook post at the weekend, 29-year-old Simon said he had pulled out after being asked to change parts of his speech related to being gay, including the story of when he came out to his father.

"To hide my struggles and sacrifices is to be ashamed of them," he wrote. "I told the school that I will not do the talk. I chose not to censor my script."

It is not the first time a Singapore TEDx talk has been cancelled over sensitivity surrounding homosexuality -- last year a gay activist was barred from giving a speech at a prestigious Catholic school.

Singapore Polytechnic confirmed that event organisers suggested Simon change parts of his speech that touched on his sexuality, as they thought they might be "inappropriate for the target audience".

"Unfortunately, he decided not to speak at the event at all instead. The students were disappointed but respected his decision," a spokesman said.

Simon said the institute had told him they had to follow education ministry rules.

A spokesman for the ministry said it had not been informed about the event and was not involved in discussions on the selection of speakers.

A gay Singapore DJ has withdrawn from a TEDx talk at an education institute after being asked to change sections about his sexuality, saying he would not hide his "struggles and sacrifices".

A gay Singapore DJ has withdrawn from a TEDx talk at an education institute after being asked to change sections about his sexuality, saying he would not hide his "struggles and sacrifices". Attitudes towards homosexuality remain conservative in Singapore, where sex between men is technically illegal under a colonial-era law, albeit one that is not actively enforced. Joshua Simon, a well-known DJ on a local radio station, had been due to speak on Saturday to students aged 16 to 19 at Singapore Polytechnic. TEDx events are independently organised under a free licence from TED, a nonprofit foundation that showcases lectures by influential figures. But in a Facebook post at the weekend, 29-year-old Simon said he had pulled out after being asked to change parts of his speech related to being gay, including the story of when he came out to his father. "To hide my struggles and sacrifices is to be ashamed of them," he wrote. "I told the school that I will not do the talk. I chose not to censor my script." It is not the first time a Singapore TEDx talk has been cancelled over sensitivity surrounding homosexuality -- last year a gay activist was barred from giving a speech at a prestigious Catholic school. Singapore Polytechnic confirmed that event organisers suggested Simon change parts of his speech that touched on his sexuality, as they thought they might be "inappropriate for the target audience". "Unfortunately, he decided not to speak at the event at all instead. The students were disappointed but respected his decision," a spokesman said. Simon said the institute had told him they had to follow education ministry rules. A spokesman for the ministry said it had not been informed about the event and was not involved in discussions on the selection of speakers.

Singapore DJ withdraws from TEDx talk over 'gay censorship'

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