China’s state television’s decision to broadcast LGBTQ-related content during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics quickly sparked discussion on social media.
Such scenes are rare in public, as the topic remains taboo in China’s mainstream media.
The scene in question, which sparked some of the most heated debate on Chinese social media, featured three dancers who were apparently in a romantic relationship.
The group, all dressed in bright colours, then began reading romance-themed French literature at the National Library of France.
“This is the only time in my life that I can see drag queens and pride themed performances on China Central Television,” wrote one user on the Instagram-like platform Xiaohongshu.
The three then ascended a spiral staircase, embracing and nearly kissing, and the scene ended with one of the performers suggesting that the audience be shut out and the rest of the performance would be best performed without an audience.
Many netizens believed it was a hint at a love triangle.
The commentator on China Central Television’s (CCTV) sports channel, which broadcast the ceremony live, did not say a word during the ceremony.
Users who missed the awkward moment live were worried they would never get a chance to watch it.
However, an edited version of the footage was aired on CCTV on Saturday.
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The official Olympic Games X account shared a photo of the trio with a quote from legendary author Victor Hugo: “Freedom to love is as sacred as freedom to think.”
The costume designer for the “de Vilmorin” scene said the trio was a homage to the French New Wave classic “Jules and Jean.”
However, a more familiar reference for Chinese netizens is the film “The Breaking Ice,” which has been described on Weibo as the “French version of Breaking Ice” and referred to as the Chinese version of X.
Other controversial content included a half-naked Blue singer Philippe Catherine recreating the painting “The Last Supper” and drag queen Nikki Doll performing on the runway.
While many Chinese netizens praised the queer presentation on the global stage, others questioned whether France had placed too much emphasis on the LGBTQ agenda in what was a sporting event.
