President William Lai (賴清德) today condemned an alleged attempt by two Chinese to snatch a letter of congratulations handed to Taiwan’s taekwondo team after they won silver at the Summer World University Games in Essen, Germany, yesterday.
A Chinese man and woman reportedly tried to snatch a congratulatory letter to athletes Hung Jiun-yi (洪俊義), Jung Jiun-jie (鍾俊傑) and Huang Cho-cheng (黃卓乘) from the Ministry of Education, and then argued with media employees.
“Why are you taking our things?” the media employees asked.
Photo courtesy of the Chinese Taipei University Sports Federation via CNA
“Does that say Chinese Taipei?” the two Chinese reportedly said.
Following the incident, Sports Administration Director-General Cheng Shih-chung (鄭世忠) wrote on Threads about the situation and what he called “nonstop provocations” by the Chinese team.
The Chinese team also called officials, complaining that a Taiwanese flag should be taken down from a doorway and told organizers that shouts of “Go Taiwan” contravened the rules.
With help from Representative to Germany Shieh Jhy-wey (謝志偉), the team sought an apology from the Essen mayor’s office, Cheng said.
The mayor responded with an apology and emphasized the event’s values of openness and tolerance, he said.
“I strongly condemn the Chinese team’s brutal and violent behavior,” Cheng said.
“Presenting congratulatory messages to our athletes and cheering for Taiwan is not restricted by the Olympic model,” Cheng said, referring to how Taiwan participates in international competitions under the name “Chinese Taipei.”
The core values of the World University Games are openness, tolerance and peace, Lai wrote on Facebook this morning.
It is regrettable that the incident went against the spirit of sportsmanship, openness and respect, Lai said.
Top athletes from universities across the world gather at the event to compete and bond, transcending languages and borders, he said.
It is regrettable that China has repeatedly suppressed Taiwan during the games, including asking the Essen city government to take down Taiwan's national flag and unreasonably protesting those in the audience who chanted slogans in support of Taiwan, he said.
Such behavior should be strongly condemned, he said.
Taiwan would continue to counter suppression with calmness and confidence to win understanding and respect in the international community, he said.
Lai also thanked athletes who proved their abilities and Taiwanese who strive for the country’s sovereignty, encouraging athletes to excel and show the world their best.
“Taiwanese stand with you and are expecting you to make a triumphant return, safe and sound,” he said.
China has become a laughing stock in the international community, Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) was quoted as saying by Executive Yuan spokeswoman Michelle Lee (李慧芝) at a routine news conference in Taipei today.
The incident not only demonstrated political interference at sports events, but also exposed how China’s so-called “cross-strait integration” is a lie, making it clear how hypocritical Beijing is, Cho was quoted as saying.
In Taiwan, all three main political parties expressed outrage at the incident.
Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) said it was a “big attack to us,” and asked the public to support the athletes.
The KMT solemnly condemned the incident, the party said in a statement today, expressing its disapproval of harassment by the Chinese Communist Party.
Democratic Progressive Party Secretary-General Lin Yu-chang (林右昌) said that everyone, regardless of party affiliation, should cheer for the athletes.
China’s behavior is inappropriate and must be condemned, he said.
The Taiwan People’s Party called on China to stop politically interfering with Taiwanese athletes at international competitions.
Additional reporting by Yu Chao-fu and Chou min-hung
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