China, Taiwan Feud Over Route of Olympic Torch

BEIJING — China and Taiwan are locked in a dispute about the route that the Olympic torch will take next year.

The Chinese want the torch to pass through Taiwan, which it regards as part of its territory. However, its plans are being stymied by authorities on the island.

The route the torch will take is due to be announced in Beijing today. The dispute was thought to have been settled earlier this week, when Wang Wei, the vice president of the Beijing Olympic Games Organizing Committee, said: "Taiwan has agreed Taiwan will be included on the Olympic torch relay."

However, Tung Chen-yuan, deputy head of mainland affairs in Taiwan, said: "The details of the torch relay route are still under negotiation." Mr. Tung said any solution must not "belittle" Taiwan.

The torch will pass through a number of countries as a token of peace, including China's old enemy Japan. The Taiwanese government is resisting any solution that will enable China to present the torch as hitting its territory as soon as it lands on the island.

It is rejecting a route taking the torch from Japan to Hong Kong via Taiwan and wants the torch to pass between Taiwan and separate Asian countries instead.