Taiwan criticises China’s ‘irrelevant’ World Cup viewing offer

Taiwan's government has sharply criticized an offer from China for Taiwanese fans to watch the World Cup using mainland Chinese websites or even visiting China, labeling the proposal "irrelevant." China, which claims sovereignty over the self-ruled democratic island, frequently highlights perceived benefits of Chinese rule for Taiwan. The offer came after China's Taiwan Affairs Office, responding to a state media report about a Taiwanese entertainer struggling to find World Cup broadcasts, stated that China holds broadcasting rights for all matches.

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We welcome compatriots on the island to use mainland Chinese websites, apps, and other platforms to watch live broadcasts of the matches, or to come to the mainland to watch the games.

"We welcome compatriots on the island to use mainland Chinese websites, apps, and other platforms to watch live broadcasts of the matches, or to come to the mainland to watch the games," spokesperson Chen Binhua announced at a news conference. However, Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council countered that the claim was "quite untrue," pointing to domestic media companies that possess the rights and are currently showing the World Cup. The council asserted that Taiwanese fans have no need for Chinese websites or apps.

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The Taiwan Affairs Office even feels the need to comment on World Cup broadcasts – it cares about too many irrelevant matters.

"The Taiwan Affairs Office even feels the need to comment on World Cup broadcasts – it cares about too many irrelevant matters," the council added in a statement. Neither Taiwan nor China qualified for the current World Cup. Taiwan's government firmly rejects Beijing's sovereignty claims, asserting that only the island's people can determine their future. The Taiwanese government has been actively supporting Paraguay and Haiti, two of the nations maintaining formal diplomatic ties with Taipei. Taiwan's Foreign Minister, Lin Chia-lung, recently shared a video on social media waving the flags of both countries, expressing his happiness that Taiwan's allies were participating in the global event.

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I’m very happy to see Taiwan’s allies, Paraguay and Haiti, take the stage at football’s globally watched grand arena.