The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Taipei

The Olympic torch relay for the 2008 Beijing Games will bypass Taiwan after talks between the island and China over hosting a leg collapsed following a biter row, officials said today.

"The Olympic torch will not come to Taiwan because the two sides were not able to reach consensus over the arrangement of the relay after more than one month of discussions," said Yang Jong-her, Taiwan's sports minister.

"We deeply regret the result," the minister added.

The talks collapsed over the use of flags, emblems and songs on the island during the event, officials said. A deadline imposed by the International Olympic Commitee (IOC) to resolve the issue passed this morning.

Chinese Olympic organisers had asked that only flags, emblems and songs approved by the IOC should be used in Taiwan.

Taiwan and China split in 1949, but China still considers the island part of its territory awaiting reunification. Taiwan cannot use its national flags, insignia or songs at IOC events or other international sports competitions.

"Our commitee of course will follow IOC rules, but how can we control the people? It is a free country here and the people can use whatever they like to welcome the torch," Tsai Chen-wei, chairman of Taiwan's Olympic Commitee, told reporters.

Tsai, Taiwan's chief torch relay negotiator, and Yang said Beijing had insisted on adding restrictions just a day before an agreement was due to be signed.

"We had been actively seeking to welcome the torch in a carnival-like event t but the Chinese side in the last minute unexpectedly asked to add barriers," Yang said.

"It is a clear fact that China, even in sports activities, is suppressing Taiwan and downgrading Taiwan," the minister added.

But Yang said Taiwan would still participate in the 2008 Olympic Games in a spirit of sportsmanship.

Taiwan had called the proposed route for the torch relay-from Taipei to Hong Kong to Macau to China-a challenge to national sovereignty.