Taiwan quits Shanghai film festival over "China, Taiwan" request

Jun 11, 2010, 15:28 GMT

Taipei - Taiwan said Friday it has withdrawn from the 13th Shanghai International Film Festival as the organizer requested Taiwan entries be identified as made in 'China, Taiwan.'

'Because of the 'origin name' incident, we have decided to cancel participation in the Shanghai film fesival to avoid unnecessary disputes,' the Taipei Film Commission said in a statement.

Besides scrapping the screening of 8 Taiwan films, Taiwan has also cancelled the planned news conference, Taiwan stars' walking the red carpet and the Taiwan Night reception, the statement said.

The commission said it deeply regrets having to make the cancellation.

The Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) is China's largest international film festival. The 13th SIFF will be held in Shanghai from June 12-20.

More than 2,000 films from 80-odd countries have registered to join the festival, vying for its Golden Goblet Award, Asian New Talent Award and International Student Shorts Award.

In recent months, customs in southern China have begun to request Taiwan imports be labeled as 'Made in China, Taiwan.' The goods would be rejected if Taiwan exporter refused to comply.