The photo shows a Taiwanese pilot punching Winnie the Pooh – a jab attack on China’s Xi as Beijing ratchets up the pressure.

• China recently conducted large-scale military exercises around the self-governing island of Taiwan.

• Meanwhile, Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense published a photo of a patch worn by fighter pilots.

• The patch shows a cartoon Winnie the Pooh getting hit by a bear – a dig at Xi Jinping.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense has released an interesting photo of Taiwanese airlines inspecting aircraft as neighboring China conducts large-scale military exercises in the area. The photo shows an unusual excavation in Beijing.

At first glance, the image may seem somewhat familiar, but a small, albeit very recognizable, one on the arm of a pilot shows Winnie the Pooh being punched in the face by a bear – a not-so-subtle jibe at Chinese President Xi Jinping.

In the patch, Winnie the Pooh – holding a jar of honey with five stars like the Chinese flag – is being punched by a Formosan black bear holding a Taiwanese flag. Above that image, text reads, “We’re open 24/7,” and below that, the text reads, “Slip!”

The Unofficial Air Force Patch is a variation of a years-old meme featuring a cartoon created by English author AA Milne.

They were the thoughts of Winnie the Pooh. moving around As a reminder, around a decade of Western and Chinese social media. The cartoon is used derogatorily by Xi’s critics, with the joke that the Chinese leader resembles a fictional teddy bear in appearance. Chinese censors have tried to shut down the spread of memes in the past, even going so far as to purge websites of negative chatter about Xi.

The distinctive patches worn by Taiwan’s fighter pilots represent a sign of defiance of the self-governing democratic island against neighboring China, with the phrase “scrubs.” Mentioning To deploy jets against regular Chinese raids in Taiwan’s air defense zone.

Patch designer Alec Hsu They spoke Reuters began selling the item at the store in 2011. “By designing this patch, I wanted to boost the morale of our troops,” he said. It was bought by soldiers and civilians.

The story continues

“Where else can we get a patch like this! Guaranteed to be a best seller!” Office of the Chief Representative of Taiwan in America He wrote Sunday on social networks.

Tensions between Taiwan and China have risen in recent days following Taiwanese President Tai Ing-wen’s visit to the United States last week; He met with lawmakers, including House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

Her visit to the Chinese Ministry of Defense provoked anger in Beijing Calling It is “trigger”. In response, China started three days on Saturday. Military practice It includes the encirclement of Taiwan and includes Chinese fighter jets, missile boats, naval destroyers, long-range rockets, bombs and more.

He even shared the command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Video inspection How an all-out attack on Taiwan would play out, showing possible missile paths from the Chinese mainland and warships. Beijing Ministry of Defense he said. The war games – dubbed “Common Sword” – are a “serious warning” to Taiwan, which has strongly criticized the exercise.

“We condemn such irrational actions that threaten the security and stability of the region. #ROCArmedForces are monitoring the situation and have assigned CAP aircraft, naval vessels and land-based missile systems to respond to these actions,” Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense wrote. press release Posted on social media.

China has long regarded Taiwan as an independent state, but Beijing has in recent years. strengthened It has put military pressure on the tiny island of 23 million people. They have experts he said. A Chinese invasion of Taiwan would throw the world economy into chaos and destroy all militaries involved.

Read the main article Business Insider