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Chiayi City criticized by DPP in flag controversy

Chiayi City Government came under fire yesterday for asking the public to refrain from carrying the national flag to this year's Asian Men's Volleyball Challenge Cup at the city's Gangping Sports Park from today through Sunday.

A group of Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) politicians plan a protest during today's opening ceremony against the city government's recent attempts to discourage spectators from taking national flags to the tournament grounds.

prevention

In an attempt to prevent the protest, the city government issued a press release on Wednesday urging people to "keep the national flag in their minds," instead of taking the flags to matches.

The press release further drew the ire of DPP politicians who called a press conference at the legislature yesterday asking for public participation in their protest.

"It's not that I like this flag," said Chen Mao-sung (陳茂松), an organizer of the protest.

He said that he, as a supporter of Taiwanese independence, would prefer a national flag that represents the Republic of Taiwan rather than the Republic of China.

"But as the tournament is being hosted by our country and the national flag is a symbol of the nation's sovereignty and dignity, why can't we fly our national flag?" Chen said.

DPP Legislator Sandy Yen (莊和子) asked the city government to revoke the ban immediately, saying it downgraded the nation's status.

"I will mobilize people to cheer on our players [in today's match against South Korea] and we will bring our national flags with us," Yen said.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) reached an agreement in 1981 that the nation's sports teams would use the name "Chinese Taipei," as well as a "Chinese Taipei Olympic flag" during international events -- instead of the national flag and anthem -- in return for being allowed to participate in international sporting events.

"Given the international reality, it's fine that we follow the IOC rules. But we would rather give up hosting the games if we are not allowed to fly our national flag," DPP Legislator Wang Sing-nan (王幸男) said.

blame

Wang said that Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) should be blamed for "setting a bad example" when he was Taipei mayor.

Ma asked fans not to bring the national flag to the 2001 AFC Women's Championship games at the city's soccer stadium. He also allowed the police to take national flags from the public in a baseball game in 2004 and he imposed ban on national flags in the Asian Short Track Speed Skating championship in 2005, Wang said.

Chang Chin-jung (章金榮), the secretary-general of the TVA, which is hosting the volleyball cup, said that the event should not be politicized.

He said that banning the flags was simply obeying the "Olympic model."

"According to the Olympic model, we don't encourage people to carry national flags nor do we prohibit them from bringing flags. But we will persuade the public not to disturb the competition if they are doing so with national flags," Chang said.

Chief of the city's press section Hsieh Ching-jung (謝靜容) said that they would cooperate with the volleyball association to make sure the tournament goes smoothly.

"The city government's role in the tournament is merely to provide a venue for the holding of the games, and it's not within the government's authority to change the volleyball association's decision [to follow the IOC rules]," Hsieh said.
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