Branded a “Traitor”? 34-Year-Old Table Tennis World Champion Responds: Never Gave Up Chinese Citizenship, Always Proud to Be Chinese

On April 20 (Beijing time), the official website of World Table Tennis (WTT) confirmed that former Chinese national team world champion Fang Bo has registered to compete under Kazakhstan. However, he has clearly stated that he remains a Chinese citizen.

The 34-year-old’s return to competition has sparked widespread discussion. As he is competing under Kazakhstan’s registration, some netizens questioned whether he had changed nationality for prize money. Industry insiders, however, clarified that this is primarily a matter of registration eligibility rather than a change in citizenship.

Renowned commentator Lai Wei explained that such arrangements are not uncommon. For instance, Hou Yingchao previously registered through another association to participate in events while still retaining Chinese nationality. This often happens due to intense competition within China’s national team, where limited slots make it difficult for all elite players to compete internationally.

Addressing the controversy, Fang Bo reiterated that he remains a Chinese national. He added that his permanent residency in Kazakhstan enables him to register and compete. Regardless of the capacity in which he plays, he emphasized his pride in having represented China.

It is reported that Fang Bo has resumed training for about a month and plans to participate in the Chinese Table Tennis Super League this year, though his team has yet to be announced. He also revealed that he may return to World Table Tennis (WTT) competitions within the next month.

Speaking about his comeback, he said, “As long as I can still pick up the racket and compete, I’m not afraid of losing. I just want to challenge my limits and see how far I can go.” His words reflect a strong determination to embrace a new chapter in his career.