BEIJING -- Wang Yi, the mainland's Taiwan affairs chief, said Chinese Taipei athletes participating in the Olympics should treat Beijing as home court and their mainland compatriots would be cheering for them.
"People on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are all part of the same family. Mainland compatriots feel amiable from the bottom of their hearts towards Taiwan compatriots," Wang was quoted as saying by the China New Service on Tuesday.
From the time when Chinese Taipei athletes disembarked their plane they were warmly welcomed by Beijing residents, Wang said. All staff of the Beijing Games would provide Chinese Taipei athletes with the best services, including comfortable accommodation, delicious food, easy transport and good training facilities.
According to the Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee, the Chinese Taipei Olympic delegation comprises 133 persons, including 80 athletes competing in 15 events. A 49-strong delegation arrived on August 3. The first batch of the delegation, seven weightlifters, arrived in Beijing on July 31.
The hosting of the Beijing Games came at a time when the cross-Strait relations maintained a momentum of improvement and development, Wang said. The mainland would not only implement the regulations set by the International Olympic Committee, but also express as much good will as possible to well receive the Chinese Taipei athletes.
Wang also expressed his sincere appreciation to the Taiwan compatriots for their care, support and participation in the Beijing Games.
The Beijing Games was set to develop greater affection and increase cooperation between the people on the two sides of the Taiwan Strait and usher in a new phase of peaceful development of the cross-Strait relations, he added.
Wang added that the mainland had invited Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) honorary chairman Lien Chan and his wife, KMT chairman Wu Poh-hsiung and his wife, and People First Party chairman James Soong and his wife, among others, to attend the August 8 opening ceremony of the Games and watch some events.
"Every Taiwan compatriot is our guest, and we will offer best services and extend the warmest welcome to all of them," said Wang.
