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IOC asks Beijing to adhere to Olympics' name regulations

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has asked China to abide by a 1989 agreement under which Taiwan is to compete in Olympic Games under the name "Chinese Taipei," Mainland Affairs Council Chairman Chen Ming-tong (陳明通) said yesterday in Hualien.

Chen said that the IOC has decided that the agreement should apply to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing and has informed Taiwan of its decision.

China offered to include Taiwan as the first stop of a "domestic" torch relay route for the 2008 Olympic Games and referred to Taiwan as "Taipei, China," implying that Taiwan is part of China. The offer was rejected by Taipei.

Last Friday, several members of the US Congress put forth legislation urging the IOC to allow Taiwan to compete in next year's games using the national name, flag and anthem of its choice.

The lawmakers said it was discriminatory, and therefore against the Olympic Charter, for the IOC to require that Taiwan use the name "Chinese Taipei" to take part in games, and for it to forbid the country from playing its national anthem and displaying its flag.
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