OpinionFifa World Cup: Chinese football fans supporting Japan? Stranger things have happened
Some supporters will cheer Asian neighbours on as fandom is as complicated as every other aspect of life on the mainland
“China hates Japan.” That’s the reductive message that you are given by many, inside and outside China, when it comes to Sino-Japanese relations. It was certainly something that came up when I was at university in England studying that very subject.
In 11 years living in the mainland it came up a few times, particularly when relations were strained between the two nations on the world stage – such as when the Japanese embassy in Beijing was besieged by thousands of protesters in 2012, outraged at the ongoing island disputes.
Chinese fans riot after Japan win 2004 Asian Cup in Beijing
Eight years earlier it was football that was the reason for the public airing of grievances.
Fans rioted outside the capital’s Workers’ Stadium after Japan had beaten their hosts in the AFC Asian Cup. Flags were burned and missiles were thrown at the Japan team bus after Japan triumphed 3-1 in the final.
Zico and his team were trapped inside until things calmed down.