FREE NATION: Beijing must understand that Taiwanese cherish democratic values and domestic issues cannot be dealt with according to its thinking, the Taipei mayor said

Taipei Times
Date: Jul 26, 2018
By: Lee I-chia and Ann Maxon  /  Staff reporters

China’s interference in an East Asian Olympic Committee meeting to revoke Taichung’s right to host the East Asian Youth Games is not a smart move and shows that it does not understand Taiwanese society, Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) said yesterday.

The committee announced its decision after a provisional meeting in Beijing on Tuesday, citing “political factors.”

China was reportedly unhappy about a referendum proposal in Taiwan to change the national team’s name to “Taiwan” from “Chinese Taipei” for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and pressured committee members into revoking Taichung’s right to host the Youth Games.

When asked for comment, Ko said he hopes that cross-strait tensions do not intensify, adding that the two sides should demonstrate mutual respect and understanding.    [FULL  STORY]