Taiwanese Athletes Win Olympic Gold Against China, Not Everyone Cheers

Taipei, Taiwan –

Taiwan’s first gold medal on Sunday at the 2024 Paris Olympics immediately reignited geopolitical enthusiasm about Taiwan’s identity and self-determination, as evidenced by the way excited fans were able to celebrate.

On Sunday, Taiwan’s Lee Yang and Wang Chi-lin took first place in the men’s doubles badminton, defeating China’s Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang.

It was a particularly sensitive victory because China claims Taiwan as part of its territory, even though the Communist Party has never ruled it, and many Taiwanese citizens reject the island’s claim to be under Chinese control.

“Winning the championship is a great feeling, and beating China is an even better feeling,” said Chen Hsi-yi, a 35-year-old film and television producer from Taipei, who watched the match at home alone.

China’s claims on Taiwan largely prevent the 23 million-person island from participating in most international events and meetings of organizations, including the United Nations and the World Health Organization.

The Olympic Games are no exception. Taiwan competes under the name Chinese Taipei, and instead of the Taiwanese flag, the flag features the Olympic rings.

On Friday, a spectator at the Paris Olympics posted a video on social media showing a man snatching a green “Go Taiwan” sign from a woman on the badminton court and then tearing it in half before being led away by security.

Other participants reported that security at the venue confiscated items depicting Taiwanese colors and symbols.

The International Olympic Committee bans political messages and flags of countries not participating in the Olympic Games.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement on Saturday condemned the behavior of the man in the video and said it was trying to help others who wanted to report similar cases.

In response to another incident in which security confiscated a green towel with the word “Taiwan” written on it, the ministry said it would report organizers for excessive enforcement.

After Sunday’s victory, Taiwanese fans could enjoy gold.

“I was so excited,” said Lai Tse-yi, a 32-year-old actor from Taipei who watched the games at home with his roommate. “I thank Taiwanese athletes for making Taiwan visible to the world.”

Another thousand fans gathered for the match broadcast at Taipei’s largest railway station.

The worsening geopolitical conflict between China and Taiwan has caused increasing hostility in recent years.

China has stepped up military activity around the island in response to developments it sees as enabling Taiwanese independence. These include a visit to Taipei in 2022 by then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the election earlier this year of Lai Ching-te, whom Beijing has condemned as a “separatist.”

Many Taiwanese have come to fear Chinese military and political pressure, and have adopted local cuisine, history, and culture to distinguish their island identity from mainland China.

President Lai, who also goes by the English name William, congratulated the badminton duo for representing “Team Taiwan.” “Your teamwork and perseverance led to this exciting victory, a proud moment for all of Taiwan!” he wrote.

The island has gained increased attention in the past few years as a flashpoint in deteriorating U.S.-China relations. While the U.S. does not recognize Taiwan as a country, it maintains informal ties with its government and is required under the Taiwan Relations Act to sell it weapons for self-defense.

And as U.S.-China relations have become more adversarial, political support for Taiwan has grown. Earlier this year, President Biden signed legislation that included $8 billion in aid for Taiwan, which the Chinese government has objected to as support for “separatist forces.”

On Chinese social media, sports commentators lamented the Olympic defeat while emphasizing China’s sovereignty over Taiwan.

“What a shame. Win or lose, Taiwan is definitely part of China, but losing to this pair is really frustrating!” wrote one blogger with 6.4 million followers on Weibo, a Chinese social media platform similar to Twitter.

Another blogger with 408,000 followers noted that Chinese Taipei can only use the Olympic-approved flag and anthem. “One day, it will be the five-star red flag and the ‘Volunteer March,’” the user said, referring to China’s national flag and anthem.

Yang is a staff writer at the Times and Wu is a special correspondent.