{"id":209741,"date":"2018-11-08T19:34:12","date_gmt":"2018-11-09T03:34:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chinadigitaltimes.net\/?p=209741"},"modified":"2018-11-09T10:54:39","modified_gmt":"2018-11-09T18:54:39","slug":"exiled-writer-ma-jian-disinvited-by-hk-venue","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chinadigitaltimes.net\/2018\/11\/exiled-writer-ma-jian-disinvited-by-hk-venue\/","title":{"rendered":"Writer Ma Jian Disinvited by HK Venue [Update]"},"content":{"rendered":"

Update (November 9, 2018 at 9:52 am PST):<\/strong><\/p>\n

Following reports that a proposed replacement venue stated that it also would not host Ma Jian<\/a>‘s talks, the Hong Kong Free Press reports that the Tai Kwun Center has reversed its decision and will host the author<\/a><\/strong>. From director\u00a0Timothy Calnin’s statement:<\/p>\n

\u201cAlthough we have been working with the Hong Kong International Literary Festival to secure a suitable alternative venue for Mr Ma\u2019s talks, it is now clear that no alternative venue is available,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt the same time, Mr Ma has made public statements which clarify that his appearances in Hong Kong are as a novelist and that he has no intention to use Tai Kwun as a platform to promote his personal political interests,\u201d he added. [Source<\/strong><\/a>]<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\n

I am glad that Tai Kwun has reversed its decision. To clarify, I will be speaking as a novelist, which is my only identity. I have no \u2018political interests\u2019 in the sense that I am not a politician looking for votes.<\/p>\n

— \u9a6c\u5efa Ma Jian (@majian53) November 9, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n