TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Leaders from all of Taiwan’s major political parties celebrated their team’s Olympic badminton win on Sunday (Aug. 4), with messages of national pride and admiration, and celebratory bubble tea and fried chicken.

President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) congratulated Lee Yang (李洋) and Wang Chi-lin (王齊麟) on Facebook after their victory against the World No. 1 pair from China, Liang Weikeng (梁偉鏗) and Wang Chang (王昶). Lai thanked Lee and Wang for bringing Taiwan its first gold in the Paris 2024 games.

“I believe everyone was like me, clenching their hands in front of the screen, extremely nervous, and cheering every time Lee and Wang scored a point!” Lai wrote after the match. “In their last Olympics, Lee and Wang faced strong opponents, and took the fighting spirit all the way to the end to unite and inspire Taiwan.”

CNA reported that after the match was won, Lai called Wang’s father to congratulate him. Wang’s father was watching at Taipei Main Station, where the game was broadcasted to over 3,000 fans.

On Facebook, Kuomintang (KMT) Chair Eric Chu (朱立倫) said on Monday he had sent 200 pieces of fried chicken to the party’s headquarters that day to celebrate the win, and bubble tea was also provided. Chu promised that if more medals were won, more chicken would be on the way.

Meanwhile, Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) Chair Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) said on Facebook that Lee and Wang’s sporting talents represented “the light of Taiwan.” Taiwan’s legislative speaker, premier, and multiple other politicians also sent out messages of praise via social media.

Controversy also emerged soon after the win, when KMT Legislator Weng Hsiao-Ling (翁曉玲) posted congratulations to the pair. Posting on multiple social media platforms, Weng said Lee and Wang were the “pride of the Chinese people.”

Weng also posted on Instagram and said that Lee and Wang were the “light of Taiwan.” Speaking to SETN on Monday, Weng said she had not been misquoted, and both statements were true.

“We are Chinese. No matter who wins, the Taiwan team or the mainland team, it will be the pride of the Chinese people. I think this sentence is correct,” Weng said.

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus leader Wu Szu-Yao (吳思瑤) said the statement was “highly regrettable.” Wu said there can be no ambiguity about national identity, and that as a legislator of the Republic of China, Taiwan, Weng should stand on the side of Taiwan.