Although it had not formally applied to host any events since Beijing was awarded the right to host the 2008 Summer Games last July, China is seriously considering allowing Taiwan to host 2008 events, eliminating Hong Kong.
Liu Jingmin, Beijing’s vice mayor, said, “if we receive formal applications from the Taiwan Olympic Committee, then we will seriously consider it”.
It had already been decided that the Olympic torch will pass through Taiwan, he said. “The torch will pass through Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan because we want Taiwan people to enjoy the Olympic spirit”.
Liu said International Olympic Committee regulations stipulated only four cities were permitted to hold the preliminary stages of soccer and Shanghai, Tianjin, Qinghua and Beijing had been selected.
Liu said, “if the IOC will allow it, we would like to invite more cities to host events, but after all, it is Beijing that is holding the Olympics and not the rest of China”.
Hong Kong, as the largest investor in Beijing, still had a major part to play he said, noting the territory’s key advantages of language, its unique position as China’s gateway and the expertise of Hong Kong firms in conducting business on the mainland.
