Taiwan's Wu Ching-kuo says China 'understands' his IOC bid
Taiwanese world boxing chief is confident mainland officials will not oppose his ambitions to replace Jacques Rogge as president
Taiwan's Wu Ching-kuo has said Chinese officials "fully understand" his bid to lead the powerful International Olympic Committee (IOC) and would not oppose it in line with broader policies on the island.
The world boxing chief, who last week announced his candidacy to succeed IOC president Jacques Rogge, said he was confident that his long personal history with China would make this a case of "sport over politics".
China opposes international recognition of the island and has blocked its membership of global bodies such as the United Nations. Taiwan competes at the Olympics and other events under "Chinese Taipei".
But Wu, 66, said: "Taiwan and China enjoy a very good relationship. Personally I was the first Taiwanese sports leader to visit China in 1989 and I supported Beijing in their successful bid to host the 2008 Olympic Games.
"I was born in China and moved from there to Taiwan with my parents at the age of one-and-a-half. This [candidacy] should be a case of sports over politics."
Wu added: "China recognises my 25 years' service to the IOC and they fully understand the situation."
Chinese support could be important for Wu as he bids to become the first Asian leader of the IOC, which controls the awarding and running of the summer and winter Olympic Games.