2012.07.26 07:30 pm
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高掛在倫敦熱鬧商圈攝政街的中華民國國旗被迫移除事件，不僅國內關注，英國與美國主流媒體也相繼報導。
週一到週五每日發行量近160萬份的倫敦「標準晚報」（Evening Standard），今天以「2012倫敦奧運：攝政街撤下台灣國旗 掀起新外交風暴」為題，報導商圈同業組織「攝政街協會」撤下中華民國國旗改掛中華台北奧運會旗的事件。
總部設在倫敦的全球性通訊社「路透社」發出多張照片，從中華民國國旗高掛在攝政街南端靠近比卡迪里圓環（Piccadilly Circus）繁忙路段，對照國旗被拿下後的空缺位置，除了標準晚報刊登使用，美國三大電視網之一的「國家廣播公司」（NBC）網站也刊登照片並有報導。
標準晚報報導指出，外界指稱倫敦奧運主辦單位與英國外交部因為擔心惹惱北京，決定將中華民國國旗撤下，台灣駐英代表已正式表達抗議，掀起新外交風暴。
駐英代表沈呂巡不滿國旗被撤下，要求主辦單位說明，並強調1981年台灣與國際奧委會簽署的協議，並沒有禁止台灣的國旗在奧運以外場合懸掛。
沈呂巡說，在民主國家面對這樣的議題，應依據言論自由方式處理，而不受第3方介入，希望主辦單位「攝政街協會」能將中華民國國旗掛回。
報導並說，撤換國旗事件在旅英台灣僑界引起高度關注，不少僑胞表達憤怒。
由攝政街數百家商店組成的「攝政街協會」自6月15日起依字母排序，懸掛206面奧運參與國家的國旗，20日中華民國青天白日滿地紅國旗首度高掛，吸睛搶眼。24日上午疑因外力介入移除國旗，今天掛上中華台北奧運旗。
報導還說，倫敦奧委會弄錯國旗的糗事昨晚新添一樁，在蘇格蘭舉行的北韓對哥倫比亞女子足球賽，誤用南韓國旗介紹北韓球員，北韓隊憤而離場抗議。
週一到週五每日發行量近160萬份的倫敦「標準晚報」（Evening Standard），今天以「2012倫敦奧運：攝政街撤下台灣國旗 掀起新外交風暴」為題，報導商圈同業組織「攝政街協會」撤下中華民國國旗改掛中華台北奧運會旗的事件。
總部設在倫敦的全球性通訊社「路透社」發出多張照片，從中華民國國旗高掛在攝政街南端靠近比卡迪里圓環（Piccadilly Circus）繁忙路段，對照國旗被拿下後的空缺位置，除了標準晚報刊登使用，美國三大電視網之一的「國家廣播公司」（NBC）網站也刊登照片並有報導。
標準晚報報導指出，外界指稱倫敦奧運主辦單位與英國外交部因為擔心惹惱北京，決定將中華民國國旗撤下，台灣駐英代表已正式表達抗議，掀起新外交風暴。
駐英代表沈呂巡不滿國旗被撤下，要求主辦單位說明，並強調1981年台灣與國際奧委會簽署的協議，並沒有禁止台灣的國旗在奧運以外場合懸掛。
沈呂巡說，在民主國家面對這樣的議題，應依據言論自由方式處理，而不受第3方介入，希望主辦單位「攝政街協會」能將中華民國國旗掛回。
報導並說，撤換國旗事件在旅英台灣僑界引起高度關注，不少僑胞表達憤怒。
由攝政街數百家商店組成的「攝政街協會」自6月15日起依字母排序，懸掛206面奧運參與國家的國旗，20日中華民國青天白日滿地紅國旗首度高掛，吸睛搶眼。24日上午疑因外力介入移除國旗，今天掛上中華台北奧運旗。
報導還說，倫敦奧委會弄錯國旗的糗事昨晚新添一樁，在蘇格蘭舉行的北韓對哥倫比亞女子足球賽，誤用南韓國旗介紹北韓球員，北韓隊憤而離場抗議。
Flag row: A conspicuous absence in the Regent Street flag display Picture: Reuters
The red and green emblem of the Asian island was removed from a display of 206 national colours in the heart of the West End amid concern it would upset the Chinese.
It was replaced with the flag of the Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee.
Taiwan has used this flag at Olympics since the early 1980s after the International Olympic Committee ruled it could not compete under the name of the Republic of China (ROC) – as Taiwan is formally known.
Chinese officials are believed to have raised concerns over the use of Taiwan’s flag at the Regent Street Association’s display.
A Foreign Office spokesman said: “We contacted the RSA (Regent Street Association) and suggested they might want to talk to LOCOG regarding the flag under which Taiwan participates in the Olympics. With all parties we have been clear that this is a matter for the RSA.”
But Shen Lyushun, Taiwan’s most senior representative to the UK, slammed the decision to remove the flag and said Taiwan was being censored.
The Chinese regard Taiwan as a rebel province and see the use of the flag as an expression of its independence.
Mr Shen said: “In a democratic country and in a larger sense, we believe this kind of issue should be regulated by the freedom of expression without undue intervention from a third party. We sincerely hope that our national flag will be returned to its original place soon.”
The row over flags is the second to hit the Games after Locog was forced to apologise to North Korea for using the South Korean flag in a pre-match video introducing the women’s football team at Hampden Park in Glasgow yesterday.
The North Koreans stormed off the pitch and refused to return for nearly an hour before the introductory footage was amended to show the right flag.
A spokesman for Locog confirmed the dispute but denied being responsible for the final decision to replace the flag.
He said: “The Regent Street Association put the flag up. The complaint came in to the Foreign Office.
“There was a meeting with the Regent Street Association, the Foreign Office and ourselves. We were kept in the loop.
“It was the Foreign Office who advised it to be taken down.
“The complaint from the Chinese came into them.”
The removal of the Taiwan flag yesterday left a conspicuous hole in the rows of national colours in Regent Street that angered Taiwanese residents in London.
Annie Walker, director of the Regent Street Association in charge of the display, said she was told it would be better “ politically” if the flag was changed.
She said: “We all know our politics so obviously the Chinese were not happy. I was asked if there was a possibility of changing the flag by the Foreign Office after discussions with Locog. Obviously China and Taiwan was mentioned and it was discussed.”
Under an agreement with the IOC in 1980 Taiwan — which competes as “Chinese Taipei” — displays the flag of its Olympic committee rather than its national emblem at Games venues. Last night the “ correct” flag was raised. Ms Walker said: “A mistake was made. The correct flag has been put up.”
London’s Taiwanese community accused China of “bullying” the organisers of the flag display. Charles Chen, a former spokesman for the Kuomintang political party who is studying in the capital, said he felt “saddened, shocked and sorry” by the decision.
A spokesman for the Crown Estate said: “The correct flag for Chinese Taipei will be hung in time for the torch relay.” A spokeswoman for the Chinese embassy would not comment.
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