CARTOON: Protests to Start as the Universiade Kicks Off?
What you need to know
Local political activists are expected to attempt to use the event to draw attention to the Taiwan independence movement and the lack of international recognition of Taiwan sovereignty.
The 29th Summer Universiade games are kicking off in Taipei tomorrow, but the name of the hosting country has lately stirred up much controversy.
The Taipei City government on Aug. 8 released the Universiade media guide online, as edited by the International University Sports Federation (FISU), and both the Taiwan delegation and island-nation were referred to as “Chinese Taipei.’’
Taipei’s mayor, Ko Wen-je (柯文哲), who is also chairman of the Taipei Universiade’s organizing committee, told local news media that the committee had written “Taiwan” in its original submission but the sports federation had ultimate authority over the text.
Followed by the release of the media guide, members of several pro-Taiwanese independence groups staged a protest on Aug. 12 in front of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party’s headquarters in Taipei, demanding that Taiwan participate in international events as “Taiwan,” not “Chinese Taipei.”
With the arrival of tens of thousands of visitors to the capital and hundreds of international journalists in tow, political activists are expected to attempt to use the event to draw attention to the Taiwan independence movement and the lack of international recognition of Taiwan sovereignty, reports The News Lens.
Editor: Olivia Yang