Premier Chang Chun-hsiung (張俊雄) yesterday threw his support behind Beijing's bid to host the 2008 Olympic Games and called again on Taiwan's giant neighbor to renounce the use of force against Taiwan.
The International Olympic Committee is scheduled to select the host nation for the 2008 Summer Olympics on Friday. China desperately wants to win the Games as a confirmation of its status as a major world power.
Chang reiterated his wish that Beijing formally abandon the use of force against Taiwan in dealing with the cross-strait dilemma, noting that the Olympics promote peace, love and harmony among all human beings.
Wu Ching-kuo (吳經國), the only Taiwanese on the IOC, has said he will cast his vote for Beijing, which is competing against Paris, Toronto, Osaka and Istanbul.
Mainland Affairs Vice Chairman Lin Chong-pin (林中斌) said a successful bid on Beijing's part will inevitably influence Taiwanese firms based in China, but he declined to elaborate. "The council will keep a close watch on developments," Lin said.
Che Xiangdong (車向東), deputy director of the liaison department of Beijing's All-China Sports Federation, said Taiwan will be included in the flame relay during the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Olympics if Beijing hosts the Games.
In 1993, Beijing lost its bid to host the 2000 Olympics to Sydney by just two votes, although it had led rivals in the first three rounds of voting.
If no candidate city can win a majority backing from the 122 IOC members, a second or third round of voting is required. Representatives from candidate countries are not allowed to cast a ballot.
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