NGV Accused of Censorship Over Cancelled Hong Kong Resistance Panel

The National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne faces censorship accusations from activist Denise Ho and political cartoonist Badiucao after declining to host a panel on Hong Kong resistance art. Proposed to coincide with the gallery's major China exhibition featuring eight Terracotta Warriors on loan, the event aimed to foster dialogue amid escalating Hong Kong protests that had sparked violent clashes in Melbourne. NGV cited insufficient time and security staff for the refusal, but Badiucao labeled it 'extremely unacceptable' self-censorship, arguing the Terracotta Warriors represent not just cultural history but authoritarian ideology tied to China's unification under Emperor Qin Shi Huang. Titled 'Be Water: Hong Kong vs China,' the rescheduled panel will occur on 4 September at Melbourne City conference centre. Moderated by former BBC Beijing correspondent Louisa Lim, participants include Ho—whose 2014 song 'Raise the Umbrella' became an anthem of the Umbrella Revolution—Badiucao, and Australian historian Clive, author of 'The Silent Invasion' about China's growing influence in Australia.