'We're being seen': Taiwan celebrates thrilling Olympic gold

Badminton pair’s win over Chinese duo has extra significance due to cross-strait tensions

- Yip Wai Yee

TAIPEI Taiwan is witnessing a massive display of pride after badminton stars Lee Yang and Wang Chi-lin defended their Olympic men's doubles title against their Chinese opponents on Aug 4, in a contest that has once again thrust the island's international status into the spotlight.

The duo, often referred to as the "Lin Yang Pair", beat China's Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang in a thrilling three-set contest in Paris which drew repeated chants of "Taiwan" from euphoric spectators at the Porte de la Chapelle Arena.

At home, thousands of fans erupted into cheers at public live screenings of the match held across Taiwan, including at the capital's transport hub Taipei Main Station, with many waving the island's flag late into the night.

"I feel so emotional. We cannot be officially known as Taiwan at the Olympics, but this is a proud moment for all Taiwanese because we're being seen," read a Facebook comment from a poster named Doris Kuo.

While this is not Taiwan's first Olympic gold medal, it has taken on added significance amid heightened cross-strait tensions and the island's struggle for international space. It is allowed to compete at the Games only as "Chinese Taipei", not Taiwan or the Republic of China as it is officially known, to avoid objections from Beijing.