A longstanding geopolitical refrain found a new verse this week as, on Tuesday, Chinese officials publicly denied any independence to the recent Taiwanese sensation, known globally as “Linsanity”.
Linsanity, a psychosomatic syndrome that has swept across New York City and the basketball blogosphere like a tornado during tornado season, is inspired by the stunning and unexpected recent play of underdog NBA point guard and Harvard graduate Jeremy Lin. Now Lin, the first Taiwanese-American to ever play in the NBA, who has led the underachieving New York Knicks to five straight victories, finds himself the latest chess piece in a six decade-long struggle for sovereignty and political recognition.
A prodigy of the pick and roll becomes a chess piece in global conflict
With leaders of the suppressed, long-enduring Taiwanese independence movement increasingly taking to Twitter and underground basketball shelters to trumpet Lin’s success as further evidence of Taiwan’s distinct identity from its occupiers in Beijing, Chinese government officials are reportedly growing fearful that a contagion of Linsanity might inspire the first show of aggression in the Taiwan Strait since 2004. In response, the government proactively interjected its position on Linsanity on Tuesday, with Li Xueju, Minister of Civil Affairs for the People’s Republic of China (“Mainland China”), issuing a statement to basketball reporters worldwide celebrating Lin’s success, while reinforcing it as a distinctly Chinese accomplishment.
“In the People’s Republic of China, we are very proud of our Chinese brother Jeremy Lin and the Linsanity. However, the People’s Republic of China wants to make it clear to anyone who believes that Linsanity is not a Chinese ecstasy, that, while it comes from Taiwan, Taiwan is part of the People’s Republic of China, as affirmed by the 1971 United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758,” said Xueju. “Any suggestion that Linsanity is not Chinese is simply propaganda from a small group of radical dissidents looking to exploit our brother’s sudden scoring rampage. It does not reflect the feeling of most Taiwanese people, who love the People’s Republic of China. As his sovereign, politically unified brothers and sisters, we are very excited to see our Chinese brother Jeremy Lin turning his herky-jerky, dribble-drive game into NBA success. We believe it is obviously more evidence that China will soon rule the world.”
For the time being, U.S. State Department officials are applying their long-standing diplomatic position on the conflict to the Linsanity debate, maintaining its Taiwanese alliance while not officially recognizing its independence. One State Department official, speaking confidentially, reported that Secretary of State Hilary Clinton will not intervene on the matter unless violence occurs across the Strait of Taiwan, there is a credible threat of nuclear activity on either side, or until Lin proves he can consistently hit a jumper. The latter is not expected this season.
Growing up outside of Cleveland, Ohio, Chandler formed a youthful and lasting love for sports, politics, comedy and melted cheese (full disclosure). The Chicago Dope is where his four loves often converge. He hopes you think this site is as dope as he does. 
