You're listening to the documentary, the cultural front line on the BBC World Service, and I'm Elaine Chong.

I'm British with Taiwanese heritage. During my childhood, I enjoyed frequent trips to Taiwan to visit family in the summers.

And when I was in high school, I used to watch Fated to Love You and listen to Jay Chow, who's now a mega global superstar.

As tensions between Taiwan and China intensify, with China recently conducting military drills in the Taiwan Strait and still claiming their sovereignty over Taiwan,

we're going to be hearing from Taiwanese artists who are blazing a trail in their different media,

and we'll be talking about how they're responding to that complex relationship with their superpower neighbour. But first, a bit of context. China sees self-ruled Taiwan as a breakaway province

that will eventually be under Beijing's control and has not ruled out the use of force to take

the island.

But Taiwan sees itself as distinct from the Chinese mainland with its own constitution and democratically elected leaders.

In January 2024, Taiwanese voters chose William Lai as their president.

It was the third presidential election victory for the Democratic Progressive Party who are pro-independence.

Here's journalist Benny Liu from the BBC Chinese service with an overview.

Taiwan is an island of a blend of indigenous traditions and Chinese heritage,

Japan's colonial influence and Western modernities.

And they are all creating a vibrant culture landscape where a traditional festival coexist with contemporary art forms.

Taiwan is also facing geopolitical challenges because many countries dismissing its identity as part of China or simply ignoring Taiwan.

So in response, the island asserts its uniqueness through culture movement and artistic expression.

And in recent news from Taiwanese arts and culture,

recently there are three Chinese influence who live in Taiwan,

and they are asked to leave Taiwan because the Taiwanese government

accused them of spreading war information and promoting war between Taiwan and China.

The government said what they are doing is against Taiwan's democracy and law.

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