A Taiwanese politician has accused the organizers linked to the Women’s Asian Cup of initially canceling an Indigenous Taiwanese dance performance before Taiwan’s match against China. This decision, reportedly made due to “sensitivities around the teams,” was reversed following intervention by Taiwanese diplomats.

During the Women’s Asia Cup football quarter-final held in Perth on Saturday, Taiwan, competing under the banner of Chinese Taipei, was defeated by China with a score of 0-2.

After the match, Ngalim Tiunn, a politician from Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party, revealed on social media that a Taiwanese Indigenous dance troupe based in Australia was scheduled to perform prior to the quarter-final match.

Tiunn alleged that at around 11 a.m., the dance group received an email from Tourism Western Australia. The email reportedly stated that the Asia Cup had requested the performance be canceled due to “some sensitivities around the teams.”

Further claiming that Tourism Western Australia made a phone call to confirm the cancellation was prompted by “political considerations,” Tiunn explained how Taiwanese diplomats stepped in to negotiate with the state government agency.

She noted that shortly after their intervention, the Asian Cup Local Organizing Committee contacted them, addressing the situation.

Tiunn claimed the Local Organising Committee told the diplomats they had “received an instruction” to replace pre-match performances from China and Taiwan with a lion dance performance in the fan zone due to the sensitivities around the two teams.

But she said the group was eventually able to perform.

In a statement to SBS News, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office confirmed its diplomats “engaged with local organisers and raised our concerns through multiple channels”.

“The performance was subsequently reinstated,” a spokesperson said.

“Taiwan respects the rules and regulations governing international sporting competitions and appreciates Australia’s efforts in hosting the tournament. We believe sporting events should remain spaces that uphold fairness, inclusiveness, and mutual respect for all participating teams and their supporters.”

A spokesperson for Tourism Western Australia told SBS News that the organisation was involved in the logistics of booking entertainment for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026, “with all entertainment booked at the discretion of the Asian Football Confederation and its Local Organising Committee”.

SBS News has reached out to the Local Organising Committee and the Chinese Embassy in Australia for comment.

The ABC reported last week that Taiwan’s diplomats have lodged a complaint to the Asian Football Confederation after Taiwan’s former national coach Chen Kuei-jen was ejected from watching Taiwan’s match against India in Sydney for allegedly leading a “Taiwan” chant.

China will be competing against the Matildas at a semi-final clash at Perth Stadium on Tuesday. Taiwan will be facing North Korea on the Gold Coast on Thursday, for a world cup qualifying match despite both teams having been knocked out of contention for the Women’s Asian Cup trophy.

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