TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's national security personnel revealed Thursday (Nov. 14) that Lima Airport in Peru removed Taiwanese advertisements under pressure from China. This development raises concerns as the APEC summit unfolds in Peru's capital, potentially exacerbating Taiwan's diplomatic challenges due to Peru's pro-China stance.
National security officials reported that the Taiwanese lightbox advertisement, displayed in mid-October, was taken down about a week later. However, large electronic billboard ads placed by Taiwan's representative office in six major intersections in Lima resisted similar pressure from China and remained intact. These advertisements promote Taiwan's contributions to global prosperity through semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and digital trade.
Taiwanese national security officials noted that placing advertisements abroad is a small battle, acknowledging that Taiwan often faces suppression in international venues. Despite these challenges, the APEC summit has treated Taiwan fairly so far. According to a report by the Central News Agency (CNA, 中央社), Nikkei Asia sources indicated that Peru did not welcome Taiwan's envoy to the APEC summit, prompting President Lai Ching-te's (賴清德) administration to seek an alternative representative.