Olympic host China sees itself as a motherland, does not recognize Taiwan as an independent state and is trying to isolate it internationally. During the games, efforts are being made in China to send out signals against Taiwan: the spokeswoman for the Beijing organizing committee insisted on propagating China’s strategy in the Olympic framework: there is only one China, and Taiwan is an inseparable part of it. Games should not be politicized. This was remarkable at the Olympic Games, which were often propagated as “neutral”. Many observers are already concerned that China might take over Taiwan militarily.
Taiwan’s representative in Germany is Jhy-Wey Shieh. There is no official embassy here because Germany, like many countries, does not recognize Taiwan as a country. He feels directly addressed by the fact that the games are said to be non-political, says Shieh. However, the Taiwanese are used to being harassed. At the Olympics, however, he was particularly offended by the attacks because the values of fairness and sportsmanship are so important there.
The Chinese regime has become so arrogant that it doesn’t care about much-vaunted fairness. What the Chinese spokeswoman said is highly political.
Fortunately, IOC President Bach responded to the statement and told the Chinese that this political issue does not belong there. But Bach also advertises that the games show that it is possible to live together peacefully and respectfully. Shieh believes that he must therefore work to ensure that Taiwan is not constantly put under pressure.
Currently particularly concerned about military attack
Right now, Taiwan is concerned about a Chinese attack, like Russia’s on Crimea after the Sochi games in 2014. And if Russia invades Ukraine, NATO, the UN and the USA will have to deal with it. That would be a loophole for China to launch a blitzkrieg. “The risk hasn’t gone away. That can still happen after the Olympic Games are over,” says Shieh.
The opening ceremony, which featured a woman with a Uyghur name, was also very political, he says. And in this environment, Russia’s President Putin signed a treaty that stipulates Taiwan as an inseparable part of China.
One of the few international opportunities
Despite all these problems, Taiwan has sent athletes to the games. Also because this is one of the few opportunities for young people to appear on the international stage and make contacts, the diplomatic representative explains.
Taiwan has been excluded from international agreements for over 50 years. There are only two options left for us to operate internationally: That is the World Trade Organization WTO. And the other thing that is important, which should actually belong to the political scene: that is participation in the Olympics.
But there are restrictions: Taiwan must compete as “Chinese Taipei”; not under its own flag, but that of the National Olympic Committee. Shieh says sarcastically, “That’s why we refused to take medals.”