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The Commitment of Mayor Ke and the Whole Populace: Hold a Successful Universiade

icon2017/04/26
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 The Commitment of Mayor Ke and the Whole Populace: Hold a Successful Universiade

China Times Editorial (Taipei, Taiwan, ROC)

April 23, 2017

 Translation of an Except

Only less than 4 months is left till August 19, the opening of the Taipei Summer Universiade; are we ready? The Universiade is dubbed the “petite Olympics”; its scope is next to only the international Olympic Games. At that time, more than 100 countries, media across the world, and over 10,000 athletes will arrive in Taiwan to witness Taiwan’s soft power. This is a rare opportunity for Taiwan to be under the spotlight on the world stage; we must succeed.

Examining the preparations for the Universiade, we cannot hide our worries. The crux of the matter is not only the progress of the preparations, but rather that Mayor Ke Wen-je underestimated the risks of untoward incidents in the world, Taiwan’s difficulties in the special international situation, and risks of cross-Strait relations. We must know whether Taiwan can hold a successful Universiade does not depend on grandiose, brand new, modern stadiums and venues, nor does it depend on impeccable reception or gourmet hospitality, but on ensuring no untoward situations. With regard to the possible risks of the typhoon season in August, global epidemics, terrorist attacks, frozen cross-Strait relations, as well as rivalries and confrontations in the private sector. Have we done adequate sand table drills and Plan B exercises?

There are many variables in holding a successful Universiade. In 1956, Torino, Italy held the first World Universiade; only 45 countries and fewer than 1,000 athletes took part. In 2015, Gwangju, South Korea Universiade announced the participation of 170 [142] countries and 12,000 athletes. Only a little over three months is left before the opening of the Taipei Universiade; fewer than 100 countries have submitted "Letters of Intent" to take part in the games. The Mainland is a big sports country in the world. It is very important whether it will come. Ke Wen-je has asked Vice Mayor Deng to relay a signed letter of invitation; however, up to now the Mainland has not responded. After the Lee Ming-jer (李明哲) incident happened, Ke Wen-je spoke without thinking, "If China does not pay attention to this matter, dispatching such a huge delegation to Taiwan… whether things could easily go wrong…” The statement increased the uncertainty of whether the Mainland will send a delegation.

Mayor Ke should be careful and cannot allow any situation to happen which could cause the Mainland delegation to forfeit the games. This is not only in consideration of the fact that the Mainland delegation consists of 800 people, but more so because such an important athletic meet not only has an impact on the athletic side, but also is important to upgrading of the cultural exhibition, urban renewal, and the quality of human resources of this nation. However, this is still not the whole picture. For Taiwan, it has a thawing effect on the current cross-Strait frozen state. It is rather the crucial meaning of sponsoring the Universiade. If the Mainland delegation comes to Taiwan, we must also make good plans beforehand and have adequate communication with the Mainland on how to avoid disputes arising from sensitive political identities at the venues.

To repeat Ke Wen-je’s words two years ago at Gwangju when he received the sponsor’s banner for the Universiade, "Taipei will hold a Universiade better than Gwangju." Only less than four months is left before the opening of the games. Let all the populace play the role of the perfect host for the Universiade, erecting a paradigm for Universiades and for Taiwan’s soft power. 

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