Excerpt CNN interview with CNN Correspondent Mike Chinoy in response to Beijing getting the Olympic Games.

July 13, 2001

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Q: Was there anything else you wanted to add?

CHINOY: The Bush administration made a conscious choice to stay neutral and not oppose the Chinese bid. Privately, some officials say one of the benefits of Beijing getting the Games could be renewed potential for avoiding conflict over Taiwan, which China views as a renegade province. China has threatened to use force if Taiwan makes any moves towards independence. It is the most contentious issue between China and the United States. Interestingly, senior officials in the Taiwan government privately had strong support to giving Beijing the Games, echoing the sentiment of American officials. The idea is that countries that stage the Olympics don't invade their neighbors, and that as a result, there is now a seven-year window where the odds of China using force against Taiwan are greatly reduced. That could be a very interesting diplomatic consequence.