Did China compete against Hong Kong and Taiwan in the Olympic Games 2008? ?

Question

Somebody posted on a forum that this happened but I don't know if this is for real.

Answer 1

I find it odd since HongKong = Mainland China (same country now). Taiwan is the Democratic China and NOT communist.  

Answer 2

Interesting question. I cant see why not....oh the table tennis as above apparently.

Answer 3

in the table tennis event...

Answer 4

Yes, because Hong Kong and Taiwan have there own Olympic committees.  Olympic teams don't necessarily represent independent sovereign nations.  Hong Kong is now considered part of China, but they are called a Special Administrative Region...they still have their own money and visa/immigration policies.  Taiwan is forced to participate under the name Chinese Taipei, because the mainland communist government considers them as a province of China, and very few countries recognize Taiwan officially as an independent sovereign nation (for example, they cannot join the UN). You should think of it in this way...Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands are considered US territory, but they also have their own Olympic teams!  Its the same kind of situation.  Also, if you watched the opening ceremony, you would have noticed that Hong Kong and Taiwan got a very loud, warm welcome from the Chinese crowd.

I am sure they directly competed against each other in certain events. I saw a table tennis match between the Hong Kong and China team and I think there were some weightlifters from Taiwan competing against China.

Answer 5

yea, for taiwan it was Taekwando and baseball and Hong Kong for table tennis in men and women singles

Answer 6

Hong Kong is part of the People Republic of China, so no, they did not compete against themselves.  It would be like the US competing against Rhode Island.

Taiwan is known as Chinese Tapei in the Olympics, with the IOC shamefully stripping them of using their actual name (Republic of China) in 1979 when the Communist Chinese (PROC) team was allowed entry.  Chinese Tapei sent about 80 competitors to the Beijing Games