Advertisement
Qatar World Cup organisers reverse course on Taiwan name change
- In an apparent bow to pressure from Beijing, the event’s managers alter island’s designation on website for ticket holders
- Taipei’s foreign ministry slams the switch while Beijing counterpart calls it the ‘right move’
Reading Time:2 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
5
Taipei’s diplomatic win over its World Cup name change has been short-lived, with the event’s organisers in Qatar altering Taiwan’s designation to “Chinese Taipei”, apparently bowing to pressure from Beijing, which claims sovereignty over the self-ruled island.
Organisers originally listed the island as “Taiwan, Province of China” on a website for ticket holders to apply for a digital access card for the 2022 Fifa World Cup.
The Taiwanese government later protested against the organisers’ use of that reference, saying it suggested Taiwan was a part of the Chinese mainland.
Soon after the protest, the website began listing the island simply as “Taiwan”, complete with the Taiwanese flag, a move Taiwan’s foreign ministry described last Thursday as a “positive development”.
Advertisement
But on Monday, the island’s name on the website had changed from “Taiwan” to “Chinese Taipei”, making what was originally a small victory for the island in its diplomatic tussle with Beijing a flash in the pan.
On Tuesday, Tsui Ching-lin, deputy spokesman of the island’s foreign ministry, expressed “deep regret” over the World Cup organisers’ failure to resist “improper political intervention” and their decision to change the listing on the website without fully consulting the ministry.
02:36
Indonesian amputees chase their football dreams
Indonesian amputees chase their football dreams
He also accused Beijing of ignoring international concerns and support for Taiwan over the issue and trying to create the false impression that Taiwan belonged to China.
Advertisement
Select Voice
Choose your listening speed
Get through articles 2x faster
1.25x
250 WPM
Slow
Average
Fast
1.25x