Jiang Xiaoyu, BOCOG executive vice-president and seen here, said the torch relay for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games will not pass through Taipei. He said, ‘ the Taiwan authorities unilaterally ended the talks and closed the door for discussion. On Thursday, Tsai Chen-wei, president of the Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee, said in a letter to BOCOG that the committee will not further discuss the issue of the Olympic torch relay passing through Taipei.’

‘On the same night, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) officially told BOCOG the 2008 Beijing Olympic torch will have to go ahead without a stopover in Taiwan.’

The relay route will be adjusted and it is possible the torch will go from Ho Chi Minh City direct to Hong Kong.

But Jiang Xiaoyu said Beijing still welcomes the Chinese Taipei sports delegation to participate in the Games.

He said, ‘We will provide first-class facilities and services for them, just as we will for all the delegations.’
Source: China Daily