Former NBA player Dwight Howard seems to be getting over the humiliating backlash he faced on Chinese social media after referring to Taiwan as a country in a promotional video featuring Taiwan's vice president. Released recently, the video featured Howard endorsing a campaign that offered a limited number of foreign tourists the opportunity to spend a night in Taiwan's presidential office building.
The controversy arose due to the sensitive political status of Taiwan, which China claims as its territory. China strictly adheres to the "One China" policy, considering Taiwan part of its territory, and vehemently opposes any recognition or support for Taiwan as an independent country.
Howard's statement in the video sparked outrage among Chinese netizens, who criticized him for endorsing a campaign that appeared to acknowledge Taiwan as a separate nation. The incident highlights the political sensitivity surrounding Taiwan's status and the potential repercussions of public figures inadvertently entering into this contentious issue.
China has previously reacted strongly to any perceived affronts to its territorial integrity, imposing boycotts or sanctions on individuals, companies, or organizations that recognize Taiwan as an independent country. Consequently, Howard's comments could significantly affect his image, relationships with Chinese fans, and business interests.
The incident underscores the need for public figures to exercise caution and be well-informed about the geopolitical implications of their actions, particularly when engaging with sensitive topics like national sovereignty.
Addressing the viewers, Howard said in the video, "Hello everyone, I'm Dwight Howard, and since I have come to Taiwan, I have gained a whole new appreciation of this country."
During a promotional event for a contest that offered winners the chance to spend a night in Taiwan's presidential office, 37-year-old Dwight Howard made the controversial comment while appearing alongside Taiwan's vice president, William Lai-Chingte.
China maintains its claim of sovereignty over Taiwan, considering it as part of "one China" under Beijing's governance. This stance leads to Taiwan's exclusion from various international organizations, and its athletes participate in global competitions under the name "Chinese Taipei."
The release of the video quickly triggered a strong negative response. The hashtag #HowardTaiwanindependence gained significant traction on China's Weibo social media platform, accumulating nearly 400 million hits by Friday. This viral backlash reflects the Chinese public's discontent and demonstrates the overall sensitivity surrounding the issue of Taiwan's status.
China's firm position on Taiwan as an integral part of its territory, coupled with its refusal to renounce the use of force to assert its claims, underscores the seriousness with which it treats any acknowledgment or support for Taiwan's independence. In this context, Dwight Howard's reference to Taiwan as a country in the video has exacerbated tensions and drawn significant attention and criticism from Chinese netizens.
Beijing considers Taiwan a part of China and views it as an illegitimate breakaway province. The U.S. has officially recognized only China since the 1970s and maintains unofficial relations with Taiwan under the "One China" policy. Dwight Howard faced social media backlash and criticism from The Global Times, a nationalist tabloid in China, which demanded an apology. Hu Xijin, the former editor of The Global Times, accused Howard of seeking immediate benefits and making quick money in Taiwan due to his declining popularity.
The social media response highlights the influence and power of online platforms in shaping public opinion and mobilizing collective sentiment. It also underscores the potential repercussions public figures can face when unintentionally entering into politically charged debates concerning national sovereignty.
However, the player in the Taiwan Basketball League seems unbothered by this. He was sighted playing basketball with some Taiwanese school kids, where he entertained them with cool trick shots and amusing dances.
https://youtu.be/smCoMmETxfw