Strong Punch to 'Gomdori Pu' Face... Taiwan Air Force Emblem Sparks Controversy

'Gomdori Pu' Interpreted as President Xi Jinping
Designer: "Created to Boost Military Morale"

As China conducted high-intensity military exercises surrounding Taiwan, an emblem featuring an Asiatic black bear punching the face of 'Gomdori Pu' (Winnie-the-Pooh) appeared in Taiwan.

According to major foreign media on the 10th (local time), on the first day of China's "Taiwan encirclement" exercises on the 8th, Taiwan's military authorities released images of Air Force pilots inspecting fighter jets. The emblem was attached to the arm of one of the pilots shown in the photo.

'Gomdori Pu' (Winnie-the-Pooh) is used in China as a character satirizing Chinese President Xi Jinping. The Asiatic black bear appearing alongside symbolizes Taiwan. The bear depicted on the emblem is also holding the Taiwan national flag.

An emblem in the shape of an Asiatic black bear punching the face of 'Winnie the Pooh.'
[Photo by Reuters·Yonhap News]

The emblem also featured the words "Scramble!" and phrases such as "Fight for peace."

According to Alec Xie, a local aviation-related merchandise vendor, demand for this emblem has surged as cross-strait relations have worsened.

He said, "We created the Asiatic black bear emblem punching 'Gomdori Pu' to boost the morale of Taiwanese soldiers," adding, "Purchases are increasing not only among military personnel but also civilians, so we are producing more."

China launched a three-day military exercise encircling Taiwan starting on the 8th in response to Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen's meeting on the 5th of this month in California with Kevin McCarthy, the third-ranking official in the U.S. protocol and Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. The exercise is designed to block Taiwan from external access and simulate strikes on key facilities and mobile targets within Taiwan.

A Taiwanese military pilot wearing an emblem of a moon bear facing Winnie the Pooh.
Photo by Yonhap News

In this context, foreign media interpret the popularity of the emblem showing the Asiatic black bear punching 'Gomdori Pu' as a demonstration of the Taiwanese people's resistance to China's show of force.

Meanwhile, 'Gomdori Pu' (Winnie-the-Pooh) is a character created by British author A.A. Milne in a 1926 published fairy tale, originally named 'Winnie-the-Pooh.'

In 2013, a satirical work depicting President Xi Jinping walking side by side with then U.S. President Barack Obama as 'Gomdori Pu' and his friend 'Tigger' went viral on the internet during Xi's visit to the United States. Since then, 'Gomdori Pu' has become a symbol representing President Xi Jinping.

Chinese authorities have consistently censored content related to 'Gomdori Pu' as it has been used to satirize President Xi Jinping.

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