Taiwan remains a sensitive issue between other countries and China, as the island nation seeks to set itself apart from Beijing. Taiwanese officials have criticized the timing of China and Russia’s partnership ahead of the Beijing Winter Olympics as both countries agreed to support each other in the ongoing conflicts in the world.
Over the weekend, Taiwanese officials slammed the timing of the partnership between both countries ahead of the Olympic games. Officials said that China was bringing shame to the spirit of the major sporting event. This follows the meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping hours before the opening ceremonies this week, with both leaders declaring that they are supporting each other in the current conflicts surrounding Taiwan and Ukraine.
Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry said that Russia’s assertion that the island nation is part of China is comparable to Moscow’s habit of spreading misinformation. Taiwan has asserted its independence and autonomy, despite the pressure campaign by Beijing to get Taiwan’s democratic government to submit to its sovereignty.
“It not only increases the Taiwanese people’s disgust at and loathing for the Chinese government’s arrogance and bullying, it also clearly shows all the world’s countries the sinister face of the Chinese Communist regime’s aggression, expansionism, and damaging of peace,” said the ministry, who added that Beijing is using the meeting with Russia as a way to engage in the expansion of authoritarianism.
“This is an insult to the peaceful spirit embodied by the Olympic Rings, and will be spurned by Taiwan’s people and held in contempt by democratic countries,” the ministry added.
The meeting between Xi and Putin was also criticized by the US, who cited that China should have used the summit to try and defuse tensions surrounding Ukraine.
Taiwan has also previously weighed in on a diplomatic boycott of the Olympic Games, ruling out sending any officials to the event but letting its athletes compete as usual. Taiwan’s Olympic Committee will instead lead the island nation’s delegation to the games and handle matters related to the events.
“We call on this year’s organizers to abide by the “Olympic Charter” and not use political factors to interfere with the competition and suppress and belittle our side. Relevant government units will also be prepared to respond to various emergencies,” said Taiwan’s China-policy-making Mainland Affairs Council.