Analysis of the Cancellation of the 2019 East Asian Youth Games in Taiwan

This study examines the unexpected cancellation of the 2019 East Asian Youth Games in Taichung, particularly with regard to the complex dynamics associated with the cross-strait political ideologies of Taiwan and China. It analyses the interactions among various issues, policies, and political currents that led to the cancellation of this event, highlighting the longstanding challenges associated with international sports participation in Taiwan given Taiwan’s complex relationship with China. The findings of this research illuminate how political transformations in Taiwan, notably the ascendance of the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party and the contentious campaign to alter Taiwan’s name for the Tokyo Olympics, have influenced cross-strait relations and constrained Taiwan’s capacity to host international sporting events. This case study underscores the broader ramifications of cross-strait politics for international sports diplomacy and the continuous quest for recognition on the global stage.