A few days ago (February 17th), Beijing Olympics spokesperson Yan Jiarong (嚴家蓉), stated at a press conference that “Taiwan is an inalienable part of my country (China).” This statement of course ignores history and reality. It is also a flagrant violation of what the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) claim that the games should be devoid of politics.
Of course, nothing is apolitical, claiming so is farcical. Anyone that has paid attention to what has been happening for decades with the IOC will know that they are a corrupt and overtly political organization. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in Taiwan has noticed this blatant hypocrisy and pointed it out.
The MOFA stated that this is a clear violation of the Olympic Charter and also the request by IOC President Thomas Bach for China to preserve an atmosphere of political neutrality. The MOFA rebuked these statements by Chinese officials.
Anyone with even a cursory knowledge of history knows that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has never ruled Taiwan and that currently there is, at the very least, a de facto rule of the islands of Taiwan by the local government. As a proponent of self determination, even regardless of the past (which clearly supports Taiwan’s case for being independent), the facts on the ground also support the fact that Taiwan is an independent country.
The Chinese can ignore history and facts, however their statements are inherently political. Just as the decision by the IOC to name Taiwan as Chinese Taipei (which Taiwan should’ve change years ago). There is no way to escape politics when dealing in international relation. The question is will people support independent countries rights to self determination or the side comprised of flagrant human rights violators. Will we decide to do the Olympics better or continue to allow the IOC to put profits over people?