American pop star KT was reportedly set to perform in Hangzhou, China, 8 years after being denied entry due to wearing anti-China attire at a concert in Taiwan.
According to the Hong Kong South China Morning Post (SCMP) on the 28th (local time), KT is scheduled to perform twice on November 21 and 22 at a venue in Hangzhou with a capacity of 18,000 seats.
KT was denied a visa when attempting to attend a fashion show in Shanghai in 2017. At the time, American media reported that KT was denied because she wore a "sunflower decoration costume" during her 2015 concert in Taiwan. Following the 2013 signing of the 'Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement' by the pro-China Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) government in Taiwan, students protested the attempted rushed passage of the agreement in the Legislative Yuan the next year, adorning sunflowers on their chests.
SCMP noted that while Chinese authorities have not officially acknowledged the denial of KT's visa, the upcoming concert is seen as a case reflecting changes in U.S.-China relations. After the Donald Trump administration imposed high tariffs, China has shown signs of allowing pop star performances to increase domestic consumption.
The American band OneRepublic appeared on a special broadcast for the Chinese New Year (Spring Festival), the biggest holiday in China, and British pop star Ed Sheeran performed six times in Hangzhou last February. Hangzhou authorities are reportedly considering inviting pop star Taylor Swift as well.