Chinese students were kicked out of Harvard's model UN after they flipped out about Taiwan being called a country
The angered participants wanted the conference handbook, which included Taiwan as a separate country, to be changed to "country or region" in order to accommodate Taiwan. One Chinese teacher left the conference in protest, the Global Times reported. The disagreement escalated to the point where organizers removed several students and threatened to call the police.
China and Taiwan split after civil war in 1949, but China still considers Taiwan part of its territory and has even threatened to use force if it moves closer to independence. However, very few Taiwanese citizens consider themselves a part of China or support any sort of reunification.
In response to the Chinese delegation, the event Secretary-General Ruth Kagen said in an email, "Harvard Model United Nations publishes in its conference handbook the country of origin as reported by each delegation without modification. The inclusion of Taiwan is not meant as a political statement, nor does that listing represent the views of the Harvard International Relations Council."
Kagen said the handbook couldn't be altered at this point, but Chinese students were offered their own "by country and region" stickers to add to their own handbooks. However, this wasn't enough to appease the offended students.
Students told the Global Times that at a previous Harvard Model United Nations event, Taiwan was not listed as a country, but they have seen Taiwan and Hong Kong listed as their own countries at other Model UN events.
- Exploring the world on wheels: International road trips from India
- 10 worst food combinations you must avoid as per ayurveda
- Top seeds that keep you cool all summer
- 8 mouthwatering mango recipes to try this season
- India's hidden gems where the thermometer doesn't cross 20 degrees
- Nothing Phone (2a) blue edition launched
- JNK India IPO allotment date
- JioCinema New Plans
- Realme Narzo 70 Launched
- Apple Let Loose event
- Elon Musk Apology
- RIL cash flows
- Charlie Munger
- Feedbank IPO allotment
- Tata IPO allotment
- Most generous retirement plans
- Broadcom lays off
- Cibil Score vs Cibil Report
- Birla and Bajaj in top Richest
- Nestle Sept 2023 report
- India Equity Market