M’land Could Release Goodwill for Reviving the East Asian Youth Games

 M’land Could Release Goodwill for Reviving the East Asian Youth Games

China Times Editorial (Taipei, Taiwan)

November 29, 2018

 Translation of an Excerpt

The new vox populi of the 9-in-1 local elections quashed like a tsunami the political tectonic plate of the DPP; the plebiscite proposition on changing our designation in the Tokyo Olympics 2020 to “Taiwan” from “Chinese Taipei” was rejected under a backlash of public opinion. This not only dissolved the crisis of the Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee’s membership being suspended, but also clear-cutly conveyed that the public of Taiwan was tired of political manipulations, and the anxious desire for cross-Strait reconciliation. Backed by the new vox populi, Taichung City mayor-elect Lu Shiow-yen indicated that she would seek to revive Taichung’s sponsorship of the East Asian Youth Games of 2019. We not only express our support but also urge the Mainland to give a positive response.

In July of this year, the East Asian Olympic Committee, on the grounds that Taiwan was pushing for the designation of “Taiwan” instead of “Chinese Taipei” to apply for participating in all international athletic meets and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, believed that politics intervened in sports, hence revoked Taichung City’s rights to sponsor the East Asian Youth Games of 2019. However, what had initiated the whole thing, i.e., the plebiscite on changing our designation for the Tokyo Olympics of 2020, was rejected in this wave of plebiscite elections.

Reviving Taichung City’s rights to sponsor the East Asian Youth Games of 2019 could be a good beginning. Lu Shiow-yen has indicated that upon assuming office, she would seek to revive the sponsorship rights. As the Chinese saying goes, “to untie the bell, the one who tied the bell is needed”; the Mainland tied the bell, hence, it could untie the bell. The plebiscite proposition on changing our designation for the Tokyo Olympics of 2020 failed to be adopted; the new vox populi of Taiwan conveyed the desire and hope for cross-Strait détente, showing that the vox populi of Taiwan has a vision of pragmatism and also attentive considerations of the future, being tired of repeated political manipulations. This is an opportunity worthy of cherishing for erecting anew benign cross-Strait interactions, and jointly creating a peaceful and prosperous future. The vox populi in Taiwan has spoken; facing the new situation, the Mainland should also make new efforts.

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