Beijing called for concerted efforts by both sides of the Taiwan Straits to realize the aspiration of the whole Chinese people to host the 2008 Olympic Games.

Beijing would like to discuss with Taiwan, according to the One-China Principle, on the possibility of sharing some events if Beijing gets to host the Games, a leading official from the Chinese Olympic Committee (COC) said on February 25.

Beijing, along with Paris, Toronto, Osaka and Istanbul, is bidding for the 2008 Games and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will decide on the Games venue in July in Moscow.

Tu Mingde, COC’s secretary-general, made the remarks at a press conference after an IOC evaluation team ended its four-day inspection tour of Beijing.

When asked if Beijing would like to share some events with Taiwan, Tu said that early last year Taiwan newspapers reported that some Taiwan officials wished to stage some of the 2008 Games events.

Tu added that under the Olympic Charter, the Games could only be staged in one city and in one country. But that would not rule out the possibility of moving some Games events to Taiwan.

“Beijing is willing to discuss the issue with Taiwan according to the One-China Principle if it wins the bid.  But any decision on the issue needs an IOC approval
beforehand,” he said.

In the bidding report present to the IOC last month, Beijing planned to include Taiwan in an Olympic torch relay, but did not mention sharing competition events.