Taiwan threatens boycott of Beijing Games

07/20/2008

TAIPEI — The head of Taiwan’s ruling Kuomintang party may boycott the Olympic opening ceremony in Beijing if the island goes under the name “China Taipei” for the Games, a party official said Friday.

“We won’t go if (Taiwan’s title) is changed to ‘China Taipei.’ We won’t attend even if it’s only one word different than ‘Chinese Taipei,’” KMT secretary-general Wu Den-yih told reporters.

The island usually goes by the name “Chinese Taipei” at international sports events, but Chinese state media has reportedly used the name “China Taipei” instead. The KMT secretary general said the name belittled the island.

Names and titles are highly symbolic in the row between Taiwan and China, which split at the end of a civil war in 1949.

Chinese President Hu Jintao invited KMT chairman Wu Poh-hsiung to attend the opening ceremony at a meeting that took place earlier this year in Beijing amid improving relations.

Ties between Taiwan and China have improved since the election of the KMT’s Ma Ying-jeou in March, but Beijing still officially regards the island as part of its territory awaiting reunification. AFP

Back to top

For comments about this website:Webmaster@tribune.net.ph
The Daily Tribune © 2006