China has sought to smooth over scuttled plans to include Taiwan in the torch relay for next year’s Beijing Olympics. It said residents of the island were welcome to join in cultural and other exchanges surrounding the games.

Li Weiyi, spokesman for the Cabinet’s Taiwan Affairs Office and seen here, said, ‘We still strongly welcome Taiwan compatriots to actively participate in Olympic Games-related activities such as sports culture exchanges, Olympic training and competition activities, Olympics-related volunteer activities and so on.’

Taiwan, which has never been included in an Olympic torch relay, had objected to its placement on the route ahead of Hong Kong, saying that it would make it appear to be part of Chinese territory.

Taipei also accused Beijing of introducing last-minute conditions on the display of Taiwanese flags and national symbols along the route.

Beijing has expressed its regrets at this development but has insisted that all Taiwanese citizens will be very welcome.
Source: International Herald Tribune