Taiwan’s new President Tsai Ing-wen has been labeled as ‘extreme’ because she is unmarried according to an op-ed written by Wang Weixing, a member of China’s body for relations, which appeared on the International Herald Leader website which is published by China’s official Xinhua News Agency.
“Analyzed from the human angle, as a single female politician, she lacks the emotional encumbrance of love, the constraints of family or the worries of children,” reads the piece, which now appears to have been removed from the site.
“Her style and strategy in pursuing politics constantly skew toward the emotional, personal and extreme,” adds Wang.
Tsai, who is Taiwan’s first female president and was inaugurated last week, has been openly criticised by Beijing for her stance the “one-China principle” and fighting for Taiwan’s independence from China.
Thousands of readers expressed outrage at the comments and rallied behind the politician, taking to social media to express their anger at the comments.
“This was the stupidest and most offensive thing I have read in ages,” read a post from one Weibo user. “Many women abroad admire Ms Tsai’s tenacity and drive, especially the fact she is strong and independent and does not need a man to rule.”
“If the tables were turned and Ms Tsai was a man, she would be celebrated for being single. This is typical discriminatory behaviour but it still disgusts me,” added another.
