Fistfight Between China and Taiwan in Fiji

Taiwan Media Reports Chinese Diplomat Assaulted Taiwan Embassy Staff in Fiji
Chinese Media Claims Taiwan Embassy Staff Assaulted Diplomat, Reported to Fiji Police

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] An assault incident occurred between Chinese diplomats and Taiwanese authorities' officials in Fiji.

On the 19th, according to Taiwanese media such as Liberty Times, Zheng Houren, Deputy Minister of Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed at the Legislative Yuan's Foreign and National Defense Committee that some foreign media reports stating that an official from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Fiji was assaulted by a diplomat from the Chinese Embassy there and received hospital treatment were true.

Foreign media including New Zealand's Asia Pacific Report reported on the same day that on the 8th, at a National Day (Double Ten Day) celebration event held by Taiwan's de facto diplomatic mission, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Fiji, two Chinese diplomats attacked one official from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office.

Asia Pacific Report, citing sources, stated that on the day of the incident, Chinese diplomats who entered the event venue and took photos of participants without permission were asked to leave, after which they physically attacked the Taiwanese mission official. During this process, the injured Taiwanese official was hospitalized and treated for mild concussion and other symptoms.

Deputy Minister Zheng explained, "After two Chinese Communist Party diplomats left the scene following the host's intervention, they soon returned, shouting loudly outside and almost breaking down the door. During the process of our mission officials trying to restrain them, a physical confrontation occurred."

Zheng added that they have reported this to the Fiji police and submitted related evidence.

Ou Zhang-an, spokesperson for Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also stated at a press conference that one official from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office sustained mild concussion and other injuries but has since recovered, and strongly condemned "the serious legal and civilized norm violations by personnel from the Chinese Embassy."

Taiwanese media covered this incident as major news, criticizing China's rough "Wolf Warrior diplomacy" as having deteriorated into "ruffian diplomacy."

On the other hand, according to local media such as Fiji Village, the Chinese Embassy claimed that their officials were assaulted by Taiwanese mission personnel and have reported this to the police.

Chinese media including Global Times reported on the same day that the Chinese Embassy filed a complaint with the local Fiji police against the Taiwanese mission officials, adding that Chinese Embassy staff were attacked by the Taiwanese side when attempting to enter the event venue.

They also reported that the Taiwanese mission officials did not file any complaints with the Fiji police regarding the assault incident.

Hu Xijin, Editor-in-Chief of Global Times, stated on his Weibo (Chinese Twitter) that "Chinese diplomats are very noble and gentle; how could they have caused a concussion to a Taiwanese person?" and claimed that "the Taiwanese side deliberately concealed detailed information."

Regarding the assault incident, Chinese netizens reacted with disbelief toward Taiwan, saying, "Does Taiwan have diplomatic relations with Fiji?" and "Why don't they post live videos?"

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.