Cancellation of East Asian Youth Games the right decision: mainland spokesperson

BEIJING - A Chinese mainland spokesperson said Wednesday that it was the right decision for the East Asian Olympic Committee (EAOC) to cancel next year's East Asian Youth Games, originally scheduled to be held in Taiwan, due to some provocative actions by some groups on the island.

In 2014, the EAOC granted the city of Taichung the right to host the games to support the promotion of the Olympics and development of sports in Taiwan.

However, some political forces and "Taiwan independence" elements on the island, allowed by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration, have flagrantly challenged the "Olympic model," bringing huge risks of political disturbances to the games, according to An Fengshan, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.

Under the model, established by some International Olympic Committee (IOC) rules, the island's delegation takes part in the Olympic Games under the name "Chinese Taipei." However, some political forces in the island are seeking a so-called "referendum" for the island to join the 2020 Tokyo Olympics "under a proper name," which is, in essence, a denial of the one-China principle.

"We have always opposed political intervention in sports and have voiced our resolute opposition against such 'referendum' provocations multiple times," An said.

An noted that the IOC is also aware of the issue and has expressed its opinion to the Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee.

He stressed that upholding the "Olympic model" is a consensus among international sports circles.

The DPP administration and "Taiwan Independence" forces pushing forward the so-called "referendum" must realize they are to the blame for the cancellation, said An, adding that they should assume full responsibility for their behavior.

An once again called on the DPP administration to return to the peaceful development path of cross-Straits relations based on the 1992 Consensus, which embodies the one-China principle, and stop hurting or sacrificing the interests of the people for its own political agenda.

The DPP administration should stop provoking hostility and confrontation across the Taiwan Straits and end its persistence in this delusion, according to An.

The mainland will continue to support cross-Straits exchanges in various fields, including sports, and contribute more positive energy to the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations, said An.