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Eurovision Asia: Major Pop Powers Absent
14 Nov
Summary
- China, India, Pakistan, and Indonesia will not participate.
- Japan, a cultural powerhouse, is also absent from the contest.
- Contest organizers cited last-minute talks as reason for absences.
The first Eurovision Song Contest Asia is set to exclude several of the region's largest musical cultures, including China, India, Pakistan, and Indonesia. Japan, a significant global cultural influence, is also notably absent from the lineup. This leaves South Korea as the only major pop powerhouse participating in the event.
The absence of China is partly attributed to complex regulations and censorship issues with its broadcasters. A previous deal with Mango TV was canceled in 2018 after the platform censored performances with gay themes and blurred rainbow flags, actions deemed contrary to Eurovision's values.
Reasons for the non-participation of India, Pakistan, and Indonesia remain less clear. Eurovision Asia's executive producer indicated that discussions with broadcasters from these countries, as well as Japan and China, concluded too late for inclusion. However, he expressed confidence that these nations are eager to join in the future. The decision to withdraw may also preempt potential embarrassment from low rankings, a phenomenon observed with countries like Britain and Germany in the European Eurovision contest.
