Taiwan's delegation to the Asian Games in Nagoya was briefly blocked from entering the athletes' village flag-raising ceremony, a fresh reminder of the pressure Taiwan faces at international events — bad news for Taiwan's standing abroad.

• Sports Minister Lee Yang, who led Taiwan's team, was at first refused entry to the ceremony before the matter was sorted out.
• Puma Shen, the DPP's candidate for Taipei mayor, said Taiwanese people know why this keeps happening and should face it squarely instead of looking away.
• He blamed those responsible for the snub and praised front-line sports ministry staff, who he said have the hard job of negotiating these situations on the spot.
• Shen also brushed off a protester who mocked him at a night market, saying dissent is fine in a democracy as long as it stays within the law.

Outlook: Expect Taiwan's treatment at the Games to stay a live political issue at home, with Shen and incumbent Taipei mayor Chiang Wan-an possibly appearing together on a TV program as the mayoral race heats up.