To prevent compatriots from being appointed as national players, the Ministry of Sports revised and released regulations on cross-strait sports exchanges.

Athletic Department. (File photo)

[Reporter Liang Weiming/Report from Taipei] In order to assist sports groups and local governments at all levels in my country to follow the rules when conducting cross-Strait sports exchanges and build a more healthy, orderly, reciprocal and dignified exchange environment, the Sports Ministry has revised and issued the "Cross-Strait Sports Exchange Handling Standards" based on actual cases in recent years and taking into account the opinions of the Mainland China Commission.

Since the "Code for Handling Cross-Strait Sports Exchanges" was formulated by the Sports Committee of the former Executive Yuan in 1987, it has been revised four times as an important principle for cross-Strait sports exchanges in our country. This is the fifth revision. The focus of this revision, in addition to adapting to the organizational restructuring and the adjustment of relevant laws and regulations, is to amend the seventh point, which clearly stipulates that Chinese people are not allowed to participate in international competitions as players of the Chinese national team.

The Ministry of Sports stated that serving as a player for China's national team involves national identity and violates Article 33 of the Mainland Affairs Council's "Regulations on Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area" (hereinafter referred to as the Cross-Strait Regulations) and related regulations prohibiting employment. In order to prevent similar incidents from happening, this time the relevant laws and regulations have been specifically incorporated into point 7 of the regulations to clearly declare the policy bottom line for cross-strait sports exchanges.

The Sports Department reiterates that when conducting cross-Strait sports exchanges, all public and private units and individuals in my country should implement the principles of "parity, dignity and mutual respect" and conduct positive interactions of equality and mutual benefit within the sports profession. At the same time, the Sports Department will continue to cooperate with the guidance of the Mainland Affairs Council and promote the Cross-Strait Regulations, this Code and the latest cross-Strait policies to various sports groups and schools through multiple channels.

In the face of the mainland's multiple united front strategies in recent years (such as actively inviting our schools and groups to the mainland, or providing "all-inclusive free", "on-arrival reception" and other discounts), the Sports Ministry specially reminds invited units to have a deep awareness of risks and carefully review the organizer's background, itinerary and promotional materials; they must not participate in national activities with united front intentions or sponsored by the mainland, and they are not allowed to join the Chinese national team as a player to safeguard personal rights and national sovereignty.