Actor and singer Nicky Wu posted a video on Oct. 1 from Tiananmen Square holding the five-star red flag to mark China’s National Day, prompting the Fubon Guardians baseball club to cancel his scheduled ceremonial first pitch in Taiwan, m.yule.360.com reported.
Tiananmen Square Video Sparks First-Pitch Cancellation
Wu published footage on social media documenting his visit to Tiananmen Square on Oct. 1, where he offered National Day greetings and shared a recreation of a 1991 photograph taken at the exact same location with his former bandmates from Little Tigers. The post drew immediate scrutiny across the strait. On Oct. 2, the Chinese Professional Baseball League team Fubon Guardians issued an emergency statement canceling Wu’s scheduled Oct. 4 ceremonial first pitch at Xinzhuang Baseball Stadium, citing “personal physical discomfort” as the official reason for the withdrawal while opening ticket refunds for fans.
Climbing the Great Wall in Response
Public commentary pointed to broader political pressures following reports from Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council naming 19 Taiwanese artists who offered National Day greetings for investigation under local statutes. Wu bypassed any formal written statement or public complaint regarding the canceled baseball appearance. On Oct. 4—the exact date he was originally scheduled to throw the first pitch—Wu uploaded a video showing him hiking the Badaling Great Wall without taking the cable car. Social media users interpreted the relaxed footage and his recreation of historical photo poses as a silent pushback against the cancellation.
Direct Reply on Commercial Interests
Underneath his Great Wall video, a user commented advising him to maintain that specific political stance if he wished to continue earning money in the mainland market. Wu responded directly from his official account, stating that he holds the exact same position even when not earning money. The exchange quickly climbed internet search trends, earning widespread praise online for prioritizing principles over commercial gain.
