Taiwan condemns China over changes in World Cup fan identification

Taiwan condemns China over changes in World Cup fan identification

Web Desk
June 21, 2022

Taiwan condemns China over changes in World Cup fan identification

Taiwan’s name misspelt as “Chinese Taipei” on FIFA World Cup fan ID card.
Taiwan’s foreign ministry condemns China for “political manipulation” of international events.
Organizers said the “Taiwan” tag following a complaint by the island but then changed it to Chinese Taipei.

Taiwan accused China of “bullying” on Tuesday after the island’s name was misspelt as “Chinese Taipei” on a FIFA World Cup fan identification card due to multiple changes made by Qatari organizers.

The “Hayya” fan ID card system acts as a visa to enter the country and a pass to access stadiums.

Initially, neither Taiwan nor Chinese Taipei (the name used for the island in international sporting events) were listed as options on the Hayya online portal, and officials warned that Taiwanese fans might be mislabeled as Chinese.

Last week a “Taiwan” tag was added following a complaint by the island, but it was then changed again to Chinese Taipei — which Taiwan’s foreign ministry said was due to Beijing’s “interferences”.

“We express deep regret over the Qatar World Cup organizers’ failure to resist improper interferences by political powers,” said the ministry’s deputy spokesman Tsuei Ching-lin at a press conference.

“The foreign ministry again condemns the Chinese government’s bullying… and its political manipulation of international sports events.”

China considers self-ruled, democratic Taiwan as part of its territory — a stance Taipei firmly rejects — and vows to seize it one day, by force if necessary.

Beijing bristles at any use of the word Taiwan — such as when Lithuania allowed Taipei to open a de facto embassy under its own name last year — lest it lend the island a sense of international legitimacy.

The use of the name “Chinese Taipei” in the sporting world is based on a 1981 compromise reached with the International Olympic Committee to allow Taiwan to compete on the international stage.

Qatar expects over one million visitors during the World Cup, which runs from November 21 to December 18, and all must register for an ID card.