TAIPEI — In a bold act of protest, Taiwanese writer Wen-Cheng Lee set fire to a copy of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter book on Friday, condemning what he described as the British author’s repeated insinuations about the gender of Taiwanese Olympic boxer Lin Yu-Ting. Lee’s act of burning the book was meant to symbolize his outrage over what he views as unjust attacks on Lin, who has been the target of intense scrutiny on the global stage.
“J.K. Rowling should not bully Taiwan’s daughter, Lin Yu-Ting,” Lee declared as he ignited the pages. “As a writer, my duty is to use the pen as a weapon to protect those who are being bullied. But during the Olympics, J.K. Rowling’s personal insults towards Lin and her blatant disrespect for Taiwan have left me furious.”
Lee emphasized that the dignity of Taiwan must be defended. “Someone has to stand up and tell J.K. Rowling that she is wrong,” he said. “I know burning a book is an extreme action, but if Taiwanese people continue to remain silent when we’re attacked—whether it’s having our flag removed or facing international bullying—then these acts will only become more commonplace.”
The controversy erupted when Rowling, the author of the globally acclaimed Harry Potter series, made comments on social media regarding Lin’s gender, echoing unsubstantiated claims that had been circulated by the International Boxing Association (IBA). Lee criticized the IBA for failing to provide evidence to support these claims and accused Rowling of exacerbating the issue, turning it into a global controversy while attempting to frame Taiwan as part of China.
“Taiwanese people cannot allow our daughters to be humiliated like this on the world stage,” Lee asserted. His protest has sparked a conversation in Taiwan, where many see Lin as a symbol of the island’s broader struggle for dignity and recognition in international affairs.
