“Scramble! “(“Fight”)… Patriotic patches showing a black bear from Taiwan, throwing a punch in the face at Winnie the Pooh, are a hit on social networks. They are seen by Internet users as a joke and a symbol of resistance to China, which has just carried out major military maneuvers around the island, and which considers Taiwan as part of its territory.
In recent days, several Taiwanese air force pilots have wore the iron-on badge on their uniforms as a sign of defiance of the Chinese leader, Xi Jinping, often mocked for his physical resemblance, according to some, with the famous cartoon character, honey lover.
“It’s the happiest thing of the last few days”
” It’s incredible. It’s the happiest thing in recent days, ”exclaims Internet user Mark Sasha Liang on Facebook. “Wear this to go through Chinese customs,” quips Chen Kai-chu, another user.
One of the images released by the Taiwanese Ministry of Defense during the exercises to show the state of preparation of its army caught the attention of Internet users. A pilot is there, inspecting a fighter plane and wearing a patch on the sleeve of his jacket where a Formosan black bear punches Winnie the Pooh, the Taiwanese flag in its other paw.
Two of the badges feature the word “Scramble!” (“Fight”) at the bottom, with one saying “Fight for freedom.” A third patch drawn in 2022 shows a Taiwanese military pilot punching a panda, a national symbol in China. It was produced on the occasion of similar military maneuvers conducted by China last August after the visit to Taipei of then-Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi.
The crests sold for 200 Taiwan dollars
Taiwanese rushed to buy the badges bearing the image of Winnie the Pooh, marketed for 200 Taiwanese dollars (6 euros) by the company Wings Fan Goods, established in Taoyuan (north), where they are now out of stock of stock.
A Facebook user selling the crests, who asked to be identified as Wizardgeo, reported receiving some 1,000 orders since the image went viral last weekend. Most requests come from Taiwan but others come from mainland China and Hong Kong, he said.