Why 'China' is on Hong Kong Asia Cup 2025 jersey? Know the real reason behind it

The Asia Cup 2025 began with the Afghanistan vs Hong Kong match. Some of the cricket fans are surprised to see the word 'China' on the Hong Kong cricket team jersey. There are some surprising reasons behind it, which forced the Hong Kong cricket team to use the word 'China' on their official jersey. 

The ongoing Asia Cup 2025 has started with eight teams, including Afghanistan and Hong Kong. The initial stage of the tournament is set in a group format. All the participating eight teams are divided into two groups of four. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the next round, which is the Super 4 stage. From there, only the two best teams will qualify for the final match, which is scheduled on September 28. As Afghanistan and Hong Kong are in the same group, they faced each other in the primary phase of the contest. 

Before the inaugural match, when captains from 8 teams gathered for the trophy unveiling ceremony, a large number of cricket fans noticed that the jersey of the Hong Kong cricket team was bearing the word 'China.' Why? 

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Why is China's name on the official jersey of the Hong Kong cricket team?

The reason is mostly political. The government of China strongly claimed that Hong Kong is their part. The political tension between China and Hong Kong is not new. The government of China has a strong hold on Hong Kong's sports administration as well, including the cricket setup. In 2023, the Hong Kong Sports Federation and Olympic Committee instructed all national sports associations in Hong Kong to add the word 'China' to their official name. Notably, in official papers, Hong Kong is officially the 'Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China.'

 If any of the sports sectors of Hong Kong dare to disobey the mandate, then they can lose funding from the Government of China, and they can even lose the right to participate in top international events. By using the name 'Hong Kong China,' China ensures that its sovereignty is clearly represented on the international stage.