Across Taiwan, celebrations erupted as the Olympic team won its first gold medal of the 2024 games, beating the People’s Republic of China in badminton—a sport traditionally dominated by the PRC. Unfortunately, this victory will not be recorded as a gold medal for Taiwan but for “Chinese Taipei.”
Taiwan is a self-governing democracy, with its capital in Taipei. An ally of the United States, it is located about 100 miles (160 kilometers) from the People’s Republic of China (PRC). In the Olympics, Taiwan was forced to compete under the name “Chinese Taipei,” a compromise that satisfied the PRC but undermined Taiwan’s sovereignty and identity. This issue exemplifies the willingness of international bodies to yield to Beijing’s. Every time the name “Chinese Taipei” appears in the news, Beijing gains more power.
Taiwan, officially the Republic of China (ROC), has had a turbulent history with the People’s Republic of China (PRC). After the Chinese Civil War in 1949, the ROC government, led by Chiang Kai-shek, retreated to Taiwan while the PRC was established on the mainland. Since then, the PRC does not recognize Taiwan as a separate country and insists that Taiwan is part of China. This attitude extends to international organizations, including the Olympics.
In 1971, the United Nations (UN) dropped its recognition of the ROC and instead recognized the PRC as China. In 1981, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Beijing reached a compromise: Taiwan would compete under the name “Chinese Taipei,” use a different flag, and play a different anthem. This arrangement is intended to allow Taiwan to participate in international sporting events without violating the PRC. However, this compromise had a significant impact on Taiwan’s international identity and visibility.
Competing as “Chinese Taipei” obliterates Taiwan’s national identity on the world stage. The use of a separate flag and song further alienates the athletes and Taiwanese citizens, who are forced to compete in a guise that negates sovereignty. This arrangement is not just about semantics; it affects Taiwan’s national pride and international recognition.
The IOC is just one of many international organizations where China asserts its economic and political influence, demanding special treatment. A recent example that has had a negative impact on the US is the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), which ignored the fact that the PRC swimming team failed a drug test.
Despite clear evidence of wrongdoing, WADA threatened to sue the United States for criticizing its work. This is how China’s influence skews international norms and standards. The WTO has ruled against some of President Trump’s tariffs on Chinese imports and dismissed many cases against China, despite clear evidence of trade fraud, subsidizing national industries, and posing a threat to US national security.
Even US politicians are giving in to China. Nancy Pelosi told US Olympic athletes in Beijing not to speak out against the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). This pattern of yielding China extends to the United Nations, where Taiwan was denied membership, and the WHO, where Taiwan was excluded. In the WTO, Taiwan participates in the Beijing-imposed names of the Taiwan Separate Customs Territory, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu.
While the US does not officially recognize Taiwan’s independence, the Taiwan Relations Act obliges the US to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself against PRC invasion.
In 2020, President Trump placed US troops in Taiwan for the first time since 1979. President Biden continued to provide weapons and military training to Taiwan. US support for Taiwan is part of a broader strategy to keep the Indo-Pacific free and open, with free and open navigation, as about 80% of the world’s container ships pass through the region. If this is controlled by China, the PRC will be able to cause major supply chain problems around the world.
In addition, Taiwan’s geographic location is advantageous for the US Having Taiwan as an important ally for the US to contain the PRC in the event of a war.
The IOC, along with other international organizations, must re-evaluate its policies and consider the wider implications of its decisions. Allowing Taiwanese teams to compete under their own name and flag would send a strong signal to Xi Jinping that the US and the rest of the world are free to make their own foreign policy decisions without Beijing’s consent.
It is time for every country and international body to stand up for the PRC and recognize Taiwan.
Kowtowing to China not only undermines Taiwan’s sovereignty but also encourages the PRC to claim more beyond its shores. The PRC has threatened serious consequences for those who recognize Taiwan, but if the G7, EU, NATO, and US allies all agree, the PRC will have no choice but to accept it or a world war, which will destroy and alienate them. for Beijing.