A defiant first lady Wu Shu-jen (吳淑珍), who is leading Taiwan's delegation at the Paralympic Games in Athens, yesterday said she will accomplish her diplomatic mission despite an official rejection by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).
Bowing the Chinese pressure, the IPC refused to recognize Wu as an official delegate for Chinese Taipei. Seemingly ignoring the decision, the first lady yesterday held a drinking party for foreign Paralympic delegations and IPC heavyweights, including its President Phil Craven, at the Marriot Hotel in Athens.
Wu also visited the athletes' villages yesterday morning to attend a welcoming ceremony where the nation's Olympic flag was raised.
Meanwhile, the delegation's spokesman James Huang (黃志芳), who is also the deputy Secretary-General of the Presidential Office, yesterday negotiated with Paralympic committee's CEO, Xavier Gonzalez, to try and keep Wu as part of the nation's delegation.
The IPC had issued a National Paralympic Committee (NPC) card, a high-access pass to Wu in July, however, it announced on Tuesday to substitute Linda Chen (陳李稠) for Wu as Taiwan's delegation leader. The first lady was subsequently downgraded from NPC card holder to "transferable guest" status.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and Taiwan's delegation at the games have protested IPC's decision.
The first lady said at a tea gathering with Taiwanese media Wednesday that the IPC decision will not affect her determination of continue her trip.
"There have been some setbacks since I arrived in Athens [on Monday]," Wu said, "but if we gave up just because of those troubles, then Taiwan will have no more opportunity to get involved in the international community."
"I have been on diplomatic missions in 2001 and I will continue to give to my country if it needs me and my physical condition is good enough," she told reporters.
"Pressure [from China] can only stimulate my adrenalin," Wu told local reporters who followed the delegation to Athens to cover Wu's activities. "The more I suffer in irrational situations, the stronger my determination to prevail gets," the first lady said.
"Do not underestimate my fighting capacity," she added.
Wu reiterated her desire to attend the Paralympic Olympic Games opening ceremony on Sept. 17 since she still hold NPC accreditation.
Commenting on the IPC's decision of canceling her NPC card, Wu said that, "it was their wrong, not ours."
"I do not think that the setback will damage the reputation of our nation, myself or President Chen," she said.
Wu was originally scheduled to personally lead Taiwan's athletes in the opening ceremony parade, however, in light of the IPC's recent decision, Wu may choose to sit in the VIP zone.
Meanwhile, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mark Chen (陳唐山) yesterday condemned the IPC's unfair treatment of Taiwan, saying that it succumbed to pressure from China and created nonsensical reason for harassing the Taiwanese delegation.
"The Paralympic Games have been corrupted with political concerns, an injustice which the IPC should shoulder all responsibilities," Chen said.
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