2023-09-24 14:54:18
Three Indian Asian Games athletes were denied normal visas because they came from disputed areas between China and India. Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) acting president Raja Randhir Singh said an investigation is underway. The picture shows the opening ceremony of the Asian Games held in Hangzhou on September 23, 2023. (ADEK BERRY / AFP)
[The Epoch Times, September 24, 2023](Comprehensive report by Epoch Times reporter Zhang Ting) Acting Chairman of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA, referred to as the Olympic Games of Asia) Raja Randhir Singh on Sunday (September 24) stated that the organizers of the Asian Olympic Games and Asian Games are investigating the issue of three Indian athletes being unable to participate in the Hangzhou Asian Games due to visa issues.
“Certainly, the Olympics of Asia is investigating the matter,” Singh told a news conference in Hangzhou, as were organizers and the government.
Singh also said that since this is a diplomatic issue, they are investigating. I hope to see good news come out.
The Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs previously stated that three martial arts athletes from Arunachal Pradesh received “stapled visas” instead of normal “stamped visas”. India does not accept this approach of the CCP and believes that the “extra visa” is invalid.
Arunachal Pradesh is called “South Tibet” by the Chinese Communist Party, and both countries claim sovereignty over the area. This latest incident is seen as the territorial dispute between China and India has spread to sports competitions.
In protest, Indian Sports Minister Anurag Thakur canceled his participation in the Hangzhou Asian Games.
Although Wei Jizhong, chairman of the Ethics Committee of the Olympic Council of Asia, said that China has not refused entry to athletes. However, the practice of issuing “separate visas” is seen as China’s questioning of India’s sovereignty claim to Arunachal Pradesh.
At a regular press conference on Friday (September 22), when asked regarding the refusal of three Indian players to issue normal versions of stamped visas, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that as a host country, China welcomes all countries Athletes come to Hangzhou to participate in the Asian Games with “legal documents”.
She also emphasized that China has never recognized the so-called “Arunachal Pradesh” and that southern Tibet is part of China’s territory.
India claimed that the Chinese Communist Party “targeted and premeditated” discriminated once morest some Indian athletes from Arunachal Pradesh and refused to allow them to participate in the Asian Games.
(This article partially refers to reports from Archyde.com.)
Editor in charge: Gao Jing#
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