Chinese Taipei's Olympic medalists flew home to a glorious welcome on Wednesday following a best-ever Games performance that has boosted pride on the island claimed by China and revived calls for it to compete under the name Taiwan.
Four mirage fighter jets, firing flares, escorted the flight before it landed at Taoyuan airport near the capital Taipei, where crowds greeted the team shouting "pride of Taiwan" and carried signs saying "national players welcome home".
With 11 medals thus far in Tokyo, the nation’s performance has brought jubilation on the island, with politicians and celebrities joining in to tag their social media celebrations "Team Taiwan" and "Taiwan is Taiwan".
View social media post: https://twitter.com/taoyuanairport/status/1422511576985178112
View social media post: https://twitter.com/taoyuanairport/status/1422872358474317827
SEE MORE: Chinese Taipei makes badminton history with men's doubles gold
It has also revived a debate over whether it should compete as Taiwan rather than Chinese Taipei, a name used at the insistence of Beijing, which sees the island as part of "one China" and has threatened to use force to bring the democratically run island under its control.
China regularly presses international groups and companies to refer to Taiwan as part of China, saying it has no right to recognition in any sphere as a separate country.
"It's a dead end to seek 'independence' in sports events with petty tricks," China's Taiwan Affairs Office said in a statement to Reuters on Tuesday.
In a 2018 referendum, voters on the island rejected a proposal to enter the Olympics as Taiwan, with many concerned that changing the name would prompt Beijing to try to block it from the Games entirely.
Among those returning home on Wednesday were Lee Yang and Wang Chi-Lin, who beat China to win the badminton men's doubles gold medal on Saturday and became a sensation by proclaiming their nation’s identity on social media.
"This is my first time seeing fighter jets. It's very cool," Wang, greeted by cheers, told reporters.
In a Facebook post with photos of a jet alongside the passenger plane and pilots preparing for the escort mission, the country’s defense ministry thanked the athletes.
"You show the world the indomitable Taiwan spirit," the ministry wrote.
