The World Cup tournament kicks off for the first time in Asia today. Even though soccer has not been widely played in Asia until recently, the month-long tournament is sure to stir up waves of enthusiasm around the region. It is hoped that soccer will become a sport that transcends national boundaries in Asia, as it already has done in Europe, Latin America and Africa. Instead of duking it out on a battlefield, Asian countries will be able settle their feuds on the soccer pitch.
The first World Cup tournament was held in 1930. The idea was to hold a tournament every four years, but World War II intervened, and there was a 12-year gap between the third tournament in 1939 and the first post-war one, which was held in 1950.
That the World Cup is finally being held in Asia and is being hosted by two countries that have a long and tangled relationship is very significant. Through this unusual arrangement, the people of these two countries will have the chance to let go of their historical hatred -- just as their officials have been forced to overcome enmity in order to coordinate the tournament. Such international cooperation highlights the positive effect of peaceful coexistence. Apart from the political, economic and military alliances left over from the Cold War era -- Asian countries can also promote cooperation and friendship through sports, as well as artistic and cultural exchanges.
As for the people of Taiwan, they can only stand on the side and envy because their nation failed to qualify for the tournament. Soccer did have a brief heyday in Taiwan during the 1960s, when the men's soccer team won an Asian championship. The women's soccer team also did very well in Asia -- far better than their Chinese counterpart.
Unfortunately, the government did not place much importance on soccer and the sport gradually fell into disfavor as emphasis was placed on baseball and basketball. In addition, military personnel dominated the soccer association for a long time, which led to problems, including the improper use of funds and personnel difficulties. Soccer players who played for teams run by some schools and businesses also faced difficulties when it came time to hang up their cleats and find a job. As a result, the soccer fad faded away in less than a decade.
Soccer requires not only hard practice and individual skills but also team spirit. Irrespective of a player's nationality, race or religion, excellent results can be attained only when both two conditions are met. European and Latin American teams long dominated World Cup play. However, the rise of Cameroon's soccer team in recent years means a better chance for an African nation to win the Cup someday soon. Outstanding performances are not gained by fluke -- the African teams have gained success despite their lack of money -- compared to European and Latin American teams -- because of a fierce commitment to improve their national teams.
It is hoped that this year's World Cup can further bring about an atmosphere of cooperation and understanding in Asia. The close collaboration shown between Japan and South Korea has deepened our belief that Asians have learned to use more civilized and reasonable means to reconcile historical differences and hatred.
Concerns that the US might abandon Taiwan are often overstated. While US President Donald Trump’s handling of Ukraine raised unease in Taiwan, it is crucial to recognize that Taiwan is not Ukraine. Under Trump, the US views Ukraine largely as a European problem, whereas the Indo-Pacific region remains its primary geopolitical focus. Taipei holds immense strategic value for Washington and is unlikely to be treated as a bargaining chip in US-China relations. Trump’s vision of “making America great again” would be directly undermined by any move to abandon Taiwan. Despite the rhetoric of “America First,” the Trump administration understands the necessity of
In an article published on this page on Tuesday, Kaohsiung-based journalist Julien Oeuillet wrote that “legions of people worldwide would care if a disaster occurred in South Korea or Japan, but the same people would not bat an eyelid if Taiwan disappeared.” That is quite a statement. We are constantly reading about the importance of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC), hailed in Taiwan as the nation’s “silicon shield” protecting it from hostile foreign forces such as the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), and so crucial to the global supply chain for semiconductors that its loss would cost the global economy US$1
US President Donald Trump’s challenge to domestic American economic-political priorities, and abroad to the global balance of power, are not a threat to the security of Taiwan. Trump’s success can go far to contain the real threat — the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) surge to hegemony — while offering expanded defensive opportunities for Taiwan. In a stunning affirmation of the CCP policy of “forceful reunification,” an obscene euphemism for the invasion of Taiwan and the destruction of its democracy, on March 13, 2024, the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) used Chinese social media platforms to show the first-time linkage of three new
Sasha B. Chhabra’s column (“Michelle Yeoh should no longer be welcome,” March 26, page 8) lamented an Instagram post by renowned actress Michelle Yeoh (楊紫瓊) about her recent visit to “Taipei, China.” It is Chhabra’s opinion that, in response to parroting Beijing’s propaganda about the status of Taiwan, Yeoh should be banned from entering this nation and her films cut off from funding by government-backed agencies, as well as disqualified from competing in the Golden Horse Awards. She and other celebrities, he wrote, must be made to understand “that there are consequences for their actions if they become political pawns of
RSS