TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The mayor of Essen, Germany, apologized to Taiwan after the city government, under pressure from China, advised a property owner to remove the Taiwan national flag from a building serving as the team's relay station during the FISU Summer World University Games.
Sports Administration Director-General James Cheng (鄭世忠) on Thursday said on Threads that after Taiwan's men’s table tennis team defeated China to win gold, the Chinese team repeatedly provoked the Taiwanese delegation, per CNA. During a table tennis match, Chinese nationals tried to silence spectators chanting “go Taiwan” claiming it violated match regulations.
Following the badminton team competition, Chinese officials tried to seize a congratulatory message sent by the Ministry of Education. A similar incident occurred after Taiwan earned silver in the men’s Taekwondo team event. Again, Chinese individuals questioned whether the message was addressed to Chinese Taipei — the name Taiwan is forced to adopt at the Olympics and other sports tournaments.
Cheng said Chinese officials also pressured the host city government to contact the relay station’s landlord about removing the flag from the building’s exterior. CNA obtained the email sent from the Essen mayor’s office to the landlord at 11 a.m. on Tuesday.
The email incorrectly cited International University Sports Federation rules, using Russia and Belarus as examples, to claim such flags are banned. It also erroneously described Taiwan as part of China.
Shieh Jhy-wey (謝志偉), Taiwan's representative to Germany, said Cheng informed him of the incident on Tuesday. Shieh later sent a formal protest letter to Essen Mayor Thomas Kufen asking for an apology.
Shieh included Germany's official nomenclature list, issued by the Federal Foreign Office, which uses “Taiwan” in formal documents.
He objected to the comparison between Taiwan and Russia or Belarus, which are banned from international sports due to the Ukraine invasion. He said that while Russia and Belarus are barred from using national symbols, Taiwan was formally invited to compete by the organizers. The two situations are fundamentally different, he said.
Mayor Kufen replied early Wednesday, saying there was never any intent to harm Taiwan-Germany relations. He explained that the email had been sent without authorization and apologized on behalf of the secretary for its content and tone.
Kufen pledged that all future city correspondence would follow the terminology prescribed by Germany's foreign ministry. Shieh said he had been ready to protest in person had there been no response by noon, but Kufen’s timely and sincere apology brought closure to the incident.
Shieh warned that if China again pressures host cities to act against Taiwan, the Essen mayor’s apology will serve as a strong basis for future countermeasures. With the Universiade running through Sunday, he said he will travel to Essen to prevent further interference and defend Taiwan’s dignity and freedom of expression.
