“This is a chance to prove Taiwan’s strength and to affirm our international status … In every area China suppresses us, we can’t even use our proper name at the Olympics and are called Chinese Taipei. So our players are helping us become recognised,” Lai, the supporter, added.
Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te, who took office in May, made a phone call to Wang’s father.
Lai thanked Wang and Lee for fighting hard to win back-to-back Olympics golds, both times against Chinese opponents.
“They are the country’s glory,” said Lai, who has been dubbed a “separatist” by China and someone who has undermined peace between the two sides.
Cheng Li-chun, deputy head of Taiwan’s executive yuan, told the crowds at Taipei station that Wang and Lee’s success showed Taiwan’s spirit and has “let the world see Taiwan”.
“I hope one day we can bravely hold our flag in an international event without (it) being snatched away,” said Danny Tsai, 36, a local Taipei resident in the crowd.
