A Chinese tourist was seen crossing a barrier to destroy a Taiwan-themed display at a temple in Japan.

The woman was visiting Katsuoji Temple with her family when she spotted the red Daruma dolls arranged to form the shape of Taiwan with the letters TW in Osaka.

Footage shows her squeezing between bushes and a metal chain barrier before attacking the arrangement on November 30.

She ignored her husband, who was trying to stop her, and attacked the Daruma while her two daughters, a toddler and a teen, watched in shock.

An onlooker said: ‘We were about to set up our own Daruma, but someone nearby went in and maliciously destroyed the TW letters and the Taiwan-shaped display.

‘After we left, it seemed like they even came back a second time to vandalise it again.

‘If you are out to have fun, there is no need to do something like this. Is not travelling in Japan supposed to be safe?'

China considers Taiwan a part of its territory and has long opposed any representation of Taiwan as a separate entity. Tensions between China and Taiwan have influenced diplomatic, economic, and cultural interactions for decades.

Daruma dolls are traditional Japanese talismans that symbolise resilience and good luck. They are weighted at the bottom so they always return to an upright position when knocked over.