Talks between China and Taiwan on the route Taiwan would take in the Beijing 2008 Summer Games torch relay have broken down. Taiwanese authorities turned down China’s proposals on a route because they said it threatened the island’s sovereignty.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) had wanted Taiwan and China to reach a verdict by September 20.
Thomas Tsai, president of Taiwan’s “Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee”, said that Beijing had “belittled” Taiwan throughout the negotiation process and insisted Taiwan could only use the flag and anthem as sanctioned by the IOC.
Tsai said Beijing insisted Taiwan follow IOC rules that limit the use of Taiwan’s flag and anthem at Olympic events, including a torch stopover.
Negotiations began in the spring but according to an e-mail sent to The Associated Press by the IOC they have ended. The e-mail said, a “solution between the two has not been found. The route will now have to go ahead without a stop in Chinese Taipei”.
Meanwhile on Friday China condemned Taiwan’s refusal to participate in the torch relay, calling it a “vile precedent” that violated the Olympic Charter.
Jongher Yang, minister of the Taiwan Government’s National Council on Physical Fitness, said Taiwan had no plans to boycott the Games. He said, “going to the Games is another matter. It’s our right”.
