The All-Chinese Table Tennis Final Excites Fans
In a 100% Chinese final of table tennis, supporters and internet users in China were energized on Saturday, August 3. Sun Yingsha, 23, beloved by a legion of Chinese internet users, faced off against Chen Meng, 30, the reigning Olympic champion in Tokyo who secured another title against her compatriot (4-2).
Online Reactions and Controversy
During the final, Sun Yingsha received incredible support from the crowd, with Chinese fans loudly cheering her every point while reacting coldly or hostilely to Chen Meng’s successes. On social media platform Weibo, numerous critical and insulting comments were directed at Chen Meng, leading to the arrest of a 29-year-old woman suspected of maliciously spreading false information and defamatory remarks.
Weibo’s Response and Public Criticism
In response to the harmful content, Weibo deleted over 12,000 comments and deactivated more than 300 accounts, urging users to engage in online discussions “reasonably.” While some users shared photos depicting negative behavior towards Chen Meng, others criticized the spectacle surrounding the final and expressed support for her.
Official Statements and Calls for Respect
The disruption prompted authorities to intervene, with the Ministry of Public Security’s cybersecurity division vowing to crack down on disruptive behavior by fan communities in sports. They reminded internet users to respect coaches, athletes, and referees and emphasized that the internet is not a lawless space.
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