Taiwan took part in the Olympics under the name “Chinese Taipei” for the first time at the 1984 Games in Los Angeles. Since then, the name has been used to represent Taiwan’s membership in global sporting events. It is also informally used as an alternative to Taiwan in other international organizations, such as the WTO and APEC.
The peculiar name came about due to conflicting attempts by Taiwan and mainland China to compete in the Olympics under the name China. While Taiwan is governed by the Republic of China, mainland China has been the People's Republic of China since 1949. Neither side officially recognizes the other or will admit the existence of “two Chinas.”
Since Taiwan lost the China seat at the United Nations to the PRC in 1971, it has seen its international space squeezed due to pressure from Beijing. By 1979, the majority of major countries had recognized the government in Beijing as the sole legitimate government of China.
With Beijing holding the upper hand, the Communist Party government has been able to bring great pressure to bear on restricting Taiwan’s international participation. This extends to forcing compromises regarding the name Taiwan must go by in international events and organizations. Beijing has imposed names like “China, Taiwan” or “China, Taipei” whenever possible over the past few decades.
China is also strongly against Taiwan’s participation in international organizations under the name “Taiwan” or the “Republic of China.” This is why “Chinese Taipei” has been the compromise to allow Taiwan to compete in the Olympics. And if they win, Taiwan’s athletes will hear the Chinese Taipei anthem and see the Chinese Taipei flag raised, as the use of their genuine national emblems is forbidden.
While this compromise has been deemed pragmatic and necessary in the past, there is growing feeling among the public in Taiwan that Chinese Taipei is an affront to the country’s dignity among a population that increasingly sees itself as separate from China and Chinese identity.