People across Taiwan celebrated their men's doubles badminton gold medal victory on Sunday, marking a significant triumph over Chinese opponents and igniting widespread jubilation that also highlighted deeper geopolitical divides between the two sides.

Wang Chi-Lin and Lee Yang of Taiwan, reigning champions from the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, secured a thrilling three-game victory against China's Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang. The match drew immense public interest across Taiwan, from Wang's home in Taipei to southern Kaohsiung and Lee's hometown on the island of Kinmen, located just off the coast of China. Public screens set up in these cities attracted thousands of fans eager to witness Taiwan's first gold medal of the Paris Games against the sporting powerhouse of China, which had already claimed 19 golds.

In Taipei's main train station, over 1,000 spectators gathered, cheering and applauding each point won by the home duo and falling silent at every point lost. Some waved Taiwan flags and chanted "Support Taiwan!" The victory was celebrated not just as a sporting achievement but also as a symbolic win given Taiwan's complex political relationship with China.

Taiwan competes in the Olympics as 'Chinese Taipei' to avoid objections from China, which claims the island as its territory. The geopolitical tensions were palpable, with some Taiwanese supporters arriving at the Paris venue forced to remove face paintings of the Taiwan flag, and others had banners confiscated due to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) rules prohibiting political messages or flags from non-participating countries.

Irene Lai, a 27-year-old office worker watching the match in Taipei, expressed the sentiment of many, saying, "We want to beat China because of the political situation." She emphasized that the victory was an opportunity to showcase Taiwan's strength and assert its international status despite being officially labeled as 'Chinese Taipei' in the Olympics.

Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te, who took office in May, called Wang's father to congratulate the athletes. "They are the country's glory," Lai said, highlighting the pride and recognition brought to Taiwan by the victory. Cheng Li-chun, deputy head of Taiwan's executive yuan, echoed this sentiment, stating that Wang and Lee's success demonstrated Taiwan's spirit and showcased the island to the world.

Many in Taiwan hope for a future where they can freely display their flag at international events. Danny Tsai, a local Taipei resident, voiced this aspiration, saying, "I hope one day we can bravely hold our flag in an international event without it being snatched away."

The victory not only underscored Taiwan's sporting prowess but also served as a poignant reminder of the island's ongoing quest for international recognition and respect amid complex geopolitical dynamics.