Taipei - Chinese athletes boycotted the closing ceremony Sunday evening of the 8th World Games in Kaohsiung, south Taiwan. When athletes entered the Main Statium in Kaohsiung, south Taiwan, there was only a Taiwan student holding the Chinese red flag marching behind the girl holding the "China" placard.
The Chinese delegation had also boycotted the opening ceremony of the Games. Most of the Chinese athletes had already by Friday, and the last four left Sunday morning.
China sent 59 athletes to participate in eight events at the World Games, which includes some 30 sports that are not included in the Olympics.
China sees Taiwan as its breakaway province and does not want Taiwan's leader, President Ma Ying-jeou to appear at international events.
However, in view of improved cross-strait ties, Beijing and Taipei seemed to have reached a consensus - President Ma opened the games and the Chinese team did not show up, but did not protest either, the report said.
Some 1,500 athletes from 91 countries took part in the World Games, which are held every four years. The 2013 World Games will be held in Cali, Colombia.
