Paris Olympics security removed a fan who had unfurled a green banner that read “Go Taiwan” at a badminton match on Friday. This sparked anger from the island’s authorities and refocusing attention on the complex rules that require Taiwan to compete as “Chinese Taipei.”

Though, Taiwan’s official name is Republic of China, Beijing believes the democratically, self-governing island as its own territory, and any recognition of Taiwan as a separate nation is resisted forcefully by China – including in the world of sport.

Taiwan competes at the Olympics as “Chinese Taipei” a result of a political compromise.

The banner the spectator in question was carrying was green, a color used by the island’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party, as well as those who advocate for Taiwanese independence and greater autonomy.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it “strongly condemns the crude and despicable means of malicious individuals ruthlessly snatching the ‘Go Taiwan’ slogan.”