牽手和分手來自同一雙手

China's government has said it is surprised at Taiwan's rejection of its place on the route of the Olympic torch relay ahead of the 2008 Beijing games.

Officials in Taiwan, seen by China as part of its territory, do not want the torch to enter or leave via China.

The torch is to go from Taiwan to Hong Kong on its way to Beijing. 

Taiwan objection 

The island is referred to as Chinese Taipei for the Olympics. 

On Thursday, the head of Taiwan's Olympic Committee said the route as announced by Beijing "constitutes an attempt to downgrade our sovereignty". 

"It is something that the government and people cannot accept," said Tsai Chen-wei. 

While many in Taiwan are said to be keen for the torch to come, some fear that if the route directly links the island with China it would appear to endorse Beijing's view that Taiwan is part of its territory.

                         

Tibet protest 

The Olympic flame will be carried through 20 cities in five continents on its 137,000km (85,000-mile) journey. 

Following Olympic tradition, the torch will be lit on 25 March in Greece at the site of the ancient Olympics.

It will then be transferred to Beijing from where it will travel across Central Asia to Europe, South America and Africa before reaching Asia again. 

On its final leg, it will be carried through China by a series of athletes, celebrities and specially-chosen members of the public to Beijing in time for the opening ceremony of the games on 8 August. 

A highlight of the journey is expected to be the torch's planned ascent in May of the world's highest mountain, Everest, which straddles the border between Tibet and Nepal. 


citation http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6598711.stm