In a statement published on their website the Asia Society made no apology to either PEN or Joshua Wong about the censorship involved in their decision not to host the Hong Kong 20/20 book launch if Wong, a contributor to the book, spoke.
Statement on PEN Hong Kong Event, Joshua Wong
NEW YORK, July 6, 2017 — Asia Society takes this issue very seriously,
and after looking into the circumstances, it is clear that an error in judgement at the staff level was made involving the PEN Hong Kong event. Asia Society, throughout its history, has hosted events at all of its global locations with speakers representing all sides of major Asia-related issues. This has been one of our core principles since our founding in 1956; it’s still our policy today. We remain steadfast in our mission to serve as a global forum for meaningful and open dialogue.
In May, Joshua Wong spoke at Asia Society in New York along with other speakers from Hong Kong. Wong and speakers from all sides of the issue are welcome at Asia Society.
For more information, contact [email protected].
It’s sad to see an organisation that claims to “serve as a global forum for meaningful and open dialogue” refuse to apologise for looking to censor such open dialogue.