Taiwanese flag pulled from Olympic display in Central London due to Chinese complaint

A Taiwanese flag has been pulled from an Olympic games display in Central London due to Chinese complain, reported the Evening Standard – the latest diplomatic snafu for a Games that has yet to officially begin. 

The Taiwanese flag – representing Taiwan's official name, the Republic of China – was displayed in London's west end amidst the national colors of more than 206 countries, reports the Evening Standard, which added that Chinese officials are believed to have complained. 

The Republic of China flag was taken down and will be replaced with a Chinese Taipei flag instead, says the Evening Standard.

Unsurprisingly, Taiwan was less than amused.

"China’s “goodwill” and “peaceful” cross-strait relations remain contingent on Beijing seeing no true expression of Taiwanese statehood, irrespective of the venue," claimed a Taipei Times editorial.

Read more: Taiwan's Olympic Name – Chinese Taipei or China's Taipei? 

Taiwan/The Republic of China agreed in 1981 to compete in the Olympic games under Chinese Taipei, according to NBC.

China considers Taiwan/The Republic of China to be a rebel state and part of China, reports the People's Daily- – and the People's Republic of China has been extremely vocal about its desire for reunification. 

Read more: Editorial: Let a Thousand Flags Bloom – Taipei Times

National flags have been the source of more than a few headaches for London Olympic Games 2012 organizers. 

On Wednesday, members of the North Korean women's soccer team stormed off the field when a South Korean flag was accidentally shown prior to their match with Colombia, the GlobalPost reported.