As tensions mount, Taiwanese rush to buy anti-Xi badges featuring Winnie the Pooh

People are scrambling to buy anti-Xi Jinping badges amid rising tensions between Taiwan and mainland China. What’s interesting about these badges is that instead of the head of the Chinese president, it is that of the famous cartoon character Winnie the Pooh. The badges are also worn by Taiwanese air force pilots, Sky News reported. A fun Anti-Xi badge featuring the popular cartoon character being beaten by a Taiwanese black bear. The cartoon Winnie the Pooh was banned in China in 2015 after people started claiming the cartoon character resembled the Chinese president.

Where can we get such a patch? Best seller guaranteed! Taiwan’s mission to the United States shared a photo on Twitter of a Taiwan Air Force pilot wearing a funny badge. The badge with the caricature has now become a symbol of the island’s resistance to Chinese aggression. The Asian giant has stepped up its assertiveness in the country since former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited the island region last year. The badges were in the news after China began a three-day military exercise around the islands. Taiwan’s military has been regularly detecting dozens of Chinese aircraft trying to infiltrate the area.

Where can we get such a patch! Best seller guaranteed! https://t.co/SA35c7529z

Taiwan in the United States (@TECRO_USA) April 9, 2023

badge story

The badge, which features a Taiwanese black bear holding a Taiwanese flag and punching Winnie the Pooh, was designed by Xu Youpeng, Sky News reported. The badge contains the catchphrase Scramble! which is based on a situation where the pilot has to fight the Chinese army. The Taiwanese black bear is seen as a symbol of Taiwanese identity and also represents Formosa, the old name of the island region. According to Sky News, the creator of the badge has been selling it in stores since last year. However, Hsu said he has seen a surge in orders recently.

“I wanted to improve the morale of our troops by designing this patch,” Xu asserted. As it has grown in popularity, the badge has amassed many fans, including Taiwan’s de facto US embassy. Chinese censors have long targeted Winnie the Pooh’s representation in China’s mainstream media due to the cartoon character’s resemblance to China’s president.