Popstar Katy Perry took the stage in Taipei this week in a glittery dress covered with sunflowers, which happen to be the emblem of Taiwan’s anti-China protests last year. She also draped herself in the flag of the Republic of China (Taiwan), a symbol of the island’s continued separation from China, and one that is allegedly so unpalatable to Beijing that it was pulled from the 2012 Olympic Games arena.
As Perry took the stage at the Taipei Arena in the politically-charged costume, some members of the crowd were “moved to tears,” the Taiwanese newspaper Liberty Times Net reported—though it is far from clear if she intended to make a political statement.
China regards Taiwan as a renegade province, not a sovereign nation, a view that many in Taiwan have rejected for generations.
Perry’s attire was quickly embraced by some Taiwanese fans. “Singing with a national flag of the Republic of China. So moving,” wrote one thrilled fan about the concert.
The Taiwan flag cape, though, was new to the Taipai show. Photos and references to it were quickly being deleted from Baidu and other social media in China this morning, to the frustration of netizens, one of whom asked “Can’t we discuss a fact? If she wears the flag, she wears it.”
Some Chinese fans, who refer to Perry as “Fruit Sister” because of her fondness for produce-themed costumes, were not pleased with her choice of attire in Taipei. One wrote on Sina Weibo:
"I’m speechless over Fruit Sister. I suppose she has no chance to come to the mainland anymore, though she might not care. These performers who intervene in other countries’ politics are the most annoying."
Others were more sympathetic. “Such a sad feeling,” one Weibo user wrote. “Poor Fruit Sister.”
i'm Chinese,about Katy wore the flag of Taiwan as a cape is very sensitive in our country.But we still think Katy don't know about how complicated situation between China and Taiwan.So Katy isn't controversy in Taiwan,she just inadvertently.
And Yaaaaaaaaaas,we love FRUIT SISTER,this name is so cute!she is so adorable!
And she usually wears a flag during that section too, but we know how China is