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V&A Museum Exhibition Catalogs Printed in China Censored

cultural-heritage · 2026-04-26

The Victoria & Albert Museum in London removed a map and other content from its exhibition catalogs after its Chinese printer refused to print them, according to a Guardian investigation. The decision, reported on April 20, 2026, highlights ongoing censorship pressures on cultural institutions working with Chinese partners. The museum did not publicly disclose the alterations, raising concerns about self-censorship and transparency. The incident follows a pattern of Chinese authorities demanding changes to museum publications, including the removal of references to Taiwan, Tibet, or Xinjiang. The V&A has not commented on whether it will seek alternative printers for future catalogs.

Key facts

  • Victoria & Albert Museum removed a map from exhibition catalogs after Chinese printer refused.
  • The Guardian published an investigation on April 20, 2026.
  • The printer is based in China.
  • Other content was also removed from the catalogs.
  • The museum did not publicly disclose the changes.
  • Chinese authorities have previously demanded removal of references to Taiwan, Tibet, and Xinjiang.
  • The V&A has not commented on future printing arrangements.
  • The incident raises concerns about self-censorship by cultural institutions.

Entities

Institutions

  • Victoria & Albert Museum
  • The Guardian

Locations

  • London
  • United Kingdom
  • China

Sources