TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Two Chinese individuals on Wednesday attempted to seize a congratulatory message intended for Taiwan’s men’s taekwondo team after they won silver at the 2025 FISU Summer World University Games in Germany.
The team — Hung Jiun-yi (洪俊義), Jung Jiun-jie (鍾俊傑), and Huang Cho-cheng (黃卓乘) — earned Taiwan’s second men’s team silver in the history of the international games, following the 2017 Taipei Universiade, per CNA. After the match, Sports Administration officials presented a message of congratulations from Education Minister Cheng Ying-yao (鄭英耀) to the athletes.
As the team prepared to speak with reporters, a Chinese man and woman rushed forward and tried to grab the letter. A scuffle broke out with media, who demanded, “What are you trying to snatch?” and, “Why are you taking our things?”
The Chinese nationals claimed the message violated event rules and questioned whether it was addressed to “Chinese Taipei.”
Sports Administration Director-General Cheng Shih-chung (鄭世忠) said China had earlier pressured the Essen mayor’s office to remove a Taiwan flag from a physiotherapy clinic serving as a team relay station. With assistance from Taiwan’s envoy to Germany, Shieh Jhy-wey (謝志偉), the city later apologized and reaffirmed the games’ commitment to openness, inclusivity, and peace.
Cheng condemned the incident, calling it “barbaric and violent behavior.” He emphasized that delivering congratulatory messages and cheering for Taiwanese athletes in a democratic country like Germany falls entirely outside the restrictions of the Olympic model.
He urged the Chinese delegation to stop inflaming tensions and harming the feelings of the Taiwanese people.
On Thursday, President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) also denounced the attempt to seize the letter, the flag removal demand, and efforts to silence spectators chanting “Go Taiwan!” Lai said such actions undermine the values of sportsmanship and the spirit of openness upheld by the games.
He thanked the athletes for their performances and all those defending Taiwan’s sovereignty. Lai said Taiwan “will continue to face provocation and pressure with composure and confidence, earning greater understanding and respect from the international community.”
