Taiwan Wins Badminton Gold, China TV Doesn't Show It
- Chinese state TV CCTV censors coverage of Taiwan winning badminton gold against China.
- Tension between Taiwan and China evident in media censorship of sporting achievements.
- China's efforts to control narrative around Taiwan's success raise international concerns.
Taiwan's men’s doubles badminton team, Lee Yang and Wang Chi-lin, secured the island's first gold medal at the Paris Olympics by defeating China's Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang in a thrilling match. Despite the victory, Taiwan's athletes are officially recognized as "Chinese Taipei," a name imposed by Beijing, which has long sought to diminish Taiwan's identity on the international stage. The atmosphere in Paris was charged, with Taiwanese flags and symbols confiscated from spectators, while Chinese nationalists displayed large Communist flags without repercussion. The match itself was fiercely contested, with neither team able to establish a significant lead. However, the response from Chinese state media was less than gracious. CCTV chose to ignore the Taiwanese victory, opting instead to broadcast men’s gymnastics during the medal ceremony, while media in Hong Kong downplayed the achievement by focusing solely on the Chinese silver medalists. This reaction reflects a broader trend of hyper-nationalism, with many Chinese social media users alleging that the match was rigged in favor of Taiwan. Political commentator Chen Pokong criticized China's approach, highlighting the contradiction in its claims that politics should not interfere with the Olympics. Despite the restrictions, Taiwanese fans made their presence felt, chanting "Taiwan!" and incorporating elements of the Taiwanese anthem into the event. One fan expressed pride in the moment, emphasizing that, although Taiwan cannot officially be recognized at the Olympics, the victory is a significant acknowledgment of their identity.