Taiwan to Join 2008 China Olympics Torch Relay Route
23/04/2007 |
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Taiwan agreed to be included in the torch relay for the 2008 Olympics, organizers of the Beijing Games said.
Although the exact route hasn't been determined, Taiwan will feature in the flame's procession, Wang Wei, vice president of the organizing committee said in Beijing at a news conference. He didn't give details.
``Taiwan is indeed in the torch relay,'' Wang said. ``A tentative decision has been made. Nothing is set in stone.''
China considers Taiwan part of its territory and has threatened to invade if the island formally declares independence. Taiwan and China have been ruled separately since 1949 when Mao Zedong's communists took control of the mainland.
Taiwan's cabinet spokeswoman Chen Mei-ling said in a phone interview today that she needs to check related government agencies before making a response. Taiwan sports teams are referred to as Chinese Taipei.
Wang confirmed that the torch relay will include a trip to the summit of Mount Everest. The Olympics, China's first, will run from Aug. 8 to Aug. 24 next year.
Taiwan will conduct its annual military exercise in April or May to upgrade its defense capabilities, the island's Ministry of National Defense said April 10. The island's military last year renewed calls for extra weapons spending.
China is building an increasingly modern and accurate missile force, Taipei-based military analyst Andrew Yang said last month. The Chinese military may have as many as 1,000 missiles aimed at Taiwan, according to a January interview by the island's president, Chen Shui-bian, on Cable News Network.
(Source: Bloomberg.com)
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