China Boycotts Art Festival, Cites Taiwan Exhibition; TikTok Skips Safety Talks

China has boycotted the Gwangju Biennale in South Korea, accusing the art festival of misrepresenting Taiwan as an independent nation, a move that underscores Beijing's sensitivity regarding its claims over the island. This action highlights ongoing geopolitical tensions and China's use of cultural and economic levers to assert its political positions on the international stage.

In parallel, TikTok has reportedly backed out of a congressional committee meeting, citing concerns over being questioned on child safety practices and potential Chinese government access to user data. This decision comes as lawmakers seek to address national security and data privacy issues related to the popular social media platform, further intensifying scrutiny on Chinese technology companies operating in the United States.