Chinese Ice Dancers Face Investigation Over Toy Missile Prop Used in Performance
At the 2025 Cup of China, a routine ice-dance competition turned controversial after Chinese skaters Ren Junfei and Xing Jianing were seen holding a plush toy resembling a DF-61 missile. The International Skating Union (ISU) called the prop “inappropriate” and announced an investigation, saying the toy was reportedly thrown onto the ice by a spectator before reaching the pair. The incident, captured on live broadcast, has sparked debate well beyond the rink.
On The Ice
During the Cup of China on October 25, 2025, Ren and Xing concluded their performance in the ice dance event and proceeded to the “kiss and cry” area, where athletes await their scores. TV footage captured the pair and their coach briefly lifting a large plush toy labelled “DF-61” before placing it across Xing’s lap. The ISU stated that the toy appears to have been thrown onto the ice by spectators and then retrieved by the skaters, adding that it was “inappropriate” and that the union “regrets the incident.”
What Is The DF-61 Label?
On its face, a stuffed missile might sound like harmless fan fun, but the label “DF-61” is significant. The DF-61 is China’s latest intercontinental ballistic missile, unveiled during a military parade and capable of carrying nuclear weapons over estimated distances of 12,000 km to 15,000 km. That means the toy in question carried loaded symbolism, and that raised eyebrows given the global audience watching the event.
Where the skaters stand
Image via Wikimedia Commons/FloweringDagwood
Ren and Xing finished eighth out of ten pairs in their ice-dance event. The title was won by American ice dancers Madison Chock and Evan Bates. The plush missile moment overshadowed their placement by fueling online and media chatter about intent, optics, and the role of props at major sporting events.
When something bold or political surfaces, it tends to raise questions and spark conversations: Was this just a fan’s quirky gift gone wrong? Or was it a calculated statement? The union’s probe will examine how the toy ended up on the ice, why the skaters interacted with it, and whether any regulations were violated. That matters not just for the athletes, but for the sport’s image, especially when events like this reach millions of viewers worldwide.
After all, nothing exists in a vacuum, especially at international events. If props matter, so do perception and timing. For Ren and Xing, the plush missile may have been just another fan gift, but now it sits at the crossroads of sport, symbolism, and scrutiny.