TAIPEI (Taiwa News) — A Taiwanese table tennis player drew attention this week after he was recorded at a public event in China wearing a red scarf, which is associated with China’s Young Pioneers.
Lin Yun-ju (林昀儒) was competing in the China Table Tennis Super League tournament in Shandong as a member of the Shandong Wieqiao Table Tennis Club. Before a competition earlier this week, he joined a promotional event at an elementary school in Zouping City, where he wore the red scarf and was asked to join a group singing a pro-China anthem, reported LTN.
When photos and videos of the incident were shared online, there was speculation in both China and Taiwan that Lin would be penalized by the Taiwan government. Some comments even suggested that he may be barred from returning to Taiwan.
The day after the videos and photos emerged, both the Mainland Affairs Council and the Taiwan Sports Administration released statements in support of Lin. It was reported that Lin was unaware of the political implications of him joining the school event or donning the red scarf, a symbol which also has historical ties to the Red Guards of the Cultural Revolution.
MAC said the situation was deliberately orchestrated by China’s United Front Work Group, and suggested Lin was manipulated into joining. They said sports exchanges should not be politicized and called on Chinese authorities to avoid using professional sporting or business events as an opportunities to belittle Taiwan.
MAC also reminded Taiwanese visiting China to be aware of United Front tactics and avoid falling into similar traps, per LTN. The government said it fully supports Lin and wished him luck in his competitions moving forward, reported LTN.
