Taiwan’s Maturing National Identity at the 2024 Paris Olympics

Taiwan has had an eventful summer at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

First, badminton player Tai Tzu-ying, a hometown hero, aimed for the gold after taking the silver medal in women’s single in Tokyo three years ago. This would have been her last chance at Olympic gold, as she is set to retire after the games. But Ratchanok Intanton of Thailand defeated her in a match that marked the end of Tai’s career. After the match, the two long-time rival and friend congratulated each other in a tearful embrace that touched the hearts of all spectators and fans.

Then there was the Lin Yu-ting, who won her quarterfinal Olympics match in women’s boxing to secure at least a bronze. But in addition to fighting in the ring, she had to fight baseless allegations (like this one from JK Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series) that she is male or transgender and unqualified.

Those angry with Taiwan just expressing itself weren’t far behind. There were multiple incidents of Olympic security staff and Chinese spectators forcibly removing and even ripping up cheering signs carried by Taiwanese fans—even when the signs make no reference to Taiwan’s official flag.

Finally, on Sunday, the men’s badminton duo of Lee Yang and Wang Chi-lin won a hard fought gold medal against China in a nail-biting finals match. Thousands of people packed into Taipei Main Station’s concourse and around the country to support the home team, and they screamed when Taiwan won its first gold medal of 2024.

With this emotional roller coaster, Taiwan has handled itself with a sense of confidence and openness that shows a maturing national identity. When Tai lost, Taiwanese fans overwhelmingly supported and commiserated with her with words of encouragement. Against false allegations of gender altering, Taiwanese society had this to say: “If ‘women should look like women,’ to us that means confidently shine bright on each of their own stages.”

Taiwanese identity has come a long way. Due to Taiwan’s peculiar history and having to face a threat of annexation by an authoritarian neighbor, people from Taiwan has had to ponder their national identity more than the rest of the world.

Taiwan’s commitment to the values of freedom and human dignity has allowed Taiwan to become secure enough that athletes can represent the nation through their effort and spirit, rather than based purely on the results. For Taiwan, a loss does not subtract from the pride Taiwanese has in their athletes.

In contrast, the nationalism of China is insecure, fearful, and vengeful. The assault on Taiwanese fans and their property at the Paris games shows that even ordinary Chinese people can choose to resort to violence.

In a paper for the National Bureau of Asian Research, I commented that everyday Chinese nationals displaying an ugly strain of nationalism are too common to be isolated. They are taught to be “offended” at any disagreement to their views about China; add that to seeing how dissent is treated with routine violence and intimidation, it is no wonder even everyday Chinese nationals could turn to the same tactics when faced with an opposing opinion. This is the sentiment behind attacks on displays of Taiwanese identity and pride, which sadly happens all too often.

On top of that, the International Olympic Committee continues to placate China by by its policy of prohibiting Taiwan to use its common name and flag at the games, assigning the euphemism of “Chinese Taipei” to Taiwan instead. This leads to, in the words of several U.S. members of Congress, the “uniquely irrational Taiwan-specific restrictions” that ended up with security staff throwing out fans simply for displaying the word “Taiwan” on their towel.

The Olympics are one of the rawest displays of national identity today. Athletes are representatives of their respective nations; more than just their scores, their actions and attitudes are also extensions of their nations. The spectators and fans, too, are an embodiment of their nations, collectively.

Given all the adversity and absurdity that the Taiwanese face in the international community as part of daily life, the Taiwanese people have stood up for themselves and carried themselves in great stride. They have stood by their athletes, and each other.

Taiwan national identity and nationalism is maturing. It is empathetic, confident, principled, tolerant, and celebratory. It is in stark contrast to the defensive, wolf tantrum nationalism from across the Strait. This is the real difference that separates Taiwan from China. It is something that, more than any flag or anthem, represents Taiwan.

(Featured photo from Lee Yang Facebook page)