Hong Kong superstar Andy Lau at centre of war of words over song choice in Taiwan
Beijing slams some Taiwanese politicians who attacked Andy Lau for performing his song ‘Chinese people’
Beijing has slammed some Taiwanese politicians for “manipulation” after they attacked Hong Kong superstar Andy Lau Tak-wah for performing his song “Chinese people” at a concert on the self-ruled island.
At the centre of controversy was Lau’s performance of his 1996 single during his tour in Taiwan between October 31 and November 3.
His singing of “Chinese people”, released to mark Hong Kong’s handover from British to Chinese rule in 1997, drew criticism from some Taiwanese audiences over his “orchestrated setting”, with a politician calling him a “pro-communist artiste”.
In Beijing, Zhu Fenglian, a spokeswoman for the State Council’s Taiwan Affairs Office, said on Wednesday that Lau’s concerts were welcomed by fans on the island and pointed out that the song was composed by Taiwanese musicians.
She said the lyrics, “holding hands, without differentiating you and me, we will move ahead with our heads up and let the world know that we are all Chinese”, not only received an “enthusiastic response” from the audience but resonated with Chinese communities at home and abroad.
“Some politicians of the green camp have forgotten their ancestors and tried to interfere with normal music exchanges through political manipulation,” Zhu said, referring to Taiwan’s independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party.
