Grenada plays Taiwan anthem, offends China

The rift between China and Taiwan was acidentally aggravated by the tiny nation of Grenada last week. During the inauguration of a reconstructed stadium, which was a gift from Beijing, in Grenada, the police band acidentally played the national anthem of Taiwan.

Onlookers of the ceremony said that the Chinese Ambassador Qian Hongshan and other Chinese nationals who had worked on the stadium looking embarrassed.

China regards Taiwan as a mutinous state, with hopes of regaining control of the small island that sits just east of the mainland.

The government of Grenada quickly issued a public apology to China and visiting Chinese officials.

Prime Minister Keith Mitchell said that it was an "inadvertent error" and promised a full inquiry of the mishap.

"I want to say again, my deepest apology, it has saddened and ached my heart," Mitchell said.

What once used to be a major supplier of aid to Grenada, Taiwan lost its diplomatic relationship in 2005 with Grenada, which exchanged foriegn support for China.

Source: The New Zealand Herald