Pro-independence activists protested at the start of a run yesterday by thousands of people in southern Taiwan in support of Beijing's bid to host the 2008 Olympic Games, an organizer said.
The run in the port city of Kaohsiung was the second part of a 10-leg marathon sponsored by sports groups in Taiwan to back Beijing in the contest for the 2008 Games.
Activists, mostly from the Taiwan Independence Party, shouted slogans at the runners as the marathon kicked off at the scenic Chengching Lake.
"One China, one Taiwan. One country on each side," they shouted through loudspeakers. One man was shown on television news reports trying to disrupt the marathon but he was stopped by police.
The party condemned the marathon, which it said was pushed ahead by "Chinese brokers in Taiwan."
"Its political implication was crystal clear. It was aimed to tell the world Taiwan is part of China," the party said in a statement.
The first leg of the marathon was held in Taipei on Saturday and joined by about 5,000 runners.
Race organizer Chi Cheng (紀政) said yesterday's protest was regrettable and "way too politicized."
"Hopefully the anticipation of Beijing hosting the Games can be realized with our joined efforts," she said.
Independent lawmaker Tsai Hau (蔡豪), who also supports Beijing's bid, said: "It would be a pride for all Chinese in the world if the 2008 Olympic Games can be held in Beijing."
The ruling DPP has also said it would be pleased to see China host the Games, despite the lingering tensions between Taipei and Beijing.
Public opinion in Taiwan has generally favored Beijing's Olympic bid on the grounds success could guarantee peace in the Taiwan Straits in the coming years.
Proponents insisted Beijing, once authorized to host the Games, would rule out military action against Taiwan, at least before 2008.
The marathon will move on to Shenzhen and seven other Chinese cities. Only 16 Chinese and 20 Taiwanese athletes will complete the entire course.
It will end in Beijing at the end of this month before the International Olympics Committee (IOC) decides on July 13 which city will host the Games.
Taiwan's IOC member Wu Ching-kuo (吳經國) expects that Beijing will beat the other competitors -- Osaka, Istanbul, Toronto and Paris.
Beijing has been campaigning heavily for the event, countering claims that China is not fit to host the Games because of its human rights records.
Instead, it claims the right to host the 2008 Games would boost human rights.
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