Addressing of president at Universiade comes under spotlight

Taipei, July 7 (CNA) Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) said Friday that he has communicated with the governing body of the summer Universiade regarding President Tsai Ing-wen's (蔡英文) attendance at the sports extravaganza, stressing that the principles will be "equality and dignity."

The Universiade will be held in Taipei Aug. 19-30, and reports quoted the mayor as saying in an interview the previous day that a Chinese official has asked him to invite Tsai on stage in her capacity as "leader."

Ko said his answer to the Chinese official then was a flat "no," and said the term "president" should be used.

The mayor said Friday he expressed his position when a representative from Shanghai visited Taiwan in April.

Also, when the International University Sports Federation (FISU) called a meeting in Taiwan in May, he and Su Li-chiong (蘇麗瓊), executive director of the Universiade Organizing Committee, also asked the federation to explain Taiwan's situation to Beijing.

He stressed that the principles of "equality and dignity have to be upheld" in sponsoring the Universiade.

Asked if he will insist on using the title "president" for Tsai, Ko said that "we have explained this to the FISU."

China said in May that it will not participate in the team events at the Universiade, but that its athletes will take part in the individual competitions.

(By You Kai-hsiang and Lilian Wu)ENDITEM/J