Tokyo Olympics: Taiwan happy at not being called ‘Chinese Taipei’ at opening ceremony as island’s President Tsai Ing-wen thanks Japan for playing host
- Television presenter causes heated debate after using disputed name during opening ceremony broadcast
- Leader Tsai Ing-wen thanks hosts for being a “good neighbour”, but Global Times blasts Friday’s remark as ‘dirty political trick’
Taiwan’s official name at the Olympics became a source of heated debate over the weekend as Japan’s national broadcaster omitted to introduce its athletes as being from “Chinese Taipei” during Friday’s opening ceremony.
Instead, NHK’s anchor called the team “Taiwan”, a taboo word China has bristled over in the past given a long-standing agreement between the two over the naming convention for the self-ruled island’s participation in such international events.
Commentators in Taiwan, including President Tsai Ing-wen, immediately seized on the moment to express happiness.
Tsai thanked Japan for being a “good neighbour”, underlining the warming ties between the island – which China considers a renegade province – and Tokyo.
03:41
Tokyo marks Olympics opening ceremony with fireworks and drone display
Without referring to the incident, Tsai wrote on Facebook after the opening ceremony: “There is no challenge large enough that could shake off the power of sports and the value of the Olympic Games. Thank you to the host country, Japan, for making everything possible.