Chinese police pressure French institute to cancel gay film screenings in Beijing

Chinese police visited the Institut Français in Beijing to intimidate staff and demand the cancellation of gay film screenings, despite a bilateral agreement guaranteeing programming freedom for cultural institutes. The incident highlights ongoing tensions over LGBTQ+ content in China, where authorities frequently censor such material. The screenings were part of a cultural program at the French institute, which operates under a reciprocal agreement meant to protect its autonomy. Police presence on site was used to pressure employees directly, leading to the cancellation of the sessions. This event underscores the limits of cultural diplomacy when faced with China's restrictive policies on sexual orientation and expression.