China leaves India in lurch, backs Incheon for Asian games

Seoul, Apr 11 (UNI) New Delhi's bid to host 2014 Asian Games received a major setback when China, which had earlier pledged its support to the Indian capital, did a volte-face with Premier Wen Jiabao backing Incheon for the continental extravaganza.

The Chinese Prime Minister met with Incheon City Mayor Ahn Sang-soo during a meeting with Korean entrepreneurs at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) headquarters here recently and said he supports Incheon's bid, 'Korea Times' reported.

Wen said he will give directions, when he returns to China, to relevant Chinese government agencies to prepare measures to support the city's bid.

Member countries of Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) will decide the fate of two cities in a secret ballot in Kuwait on April 17.

Previously China was known to be backing New Delhi. South Korean foreign ministry officials in India, who participated in a meeting of foreign ministers in New Delhi in February, told the Incheon bid committee that Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing made a remark supporting the Indian city.

China's official announcement of support will be of much help to Incheon given its regional influence on Hong Kong and Macau, two members of the OCA.

The two cities will make presentation before the OCA General Assembly prior to the voting.

Incheon will also promise to raise 20 million dollars to support Asian countries that have not yet won medals in the Asian Games.

Meanwhile, the Korean city's bid committee claimed that they had already secured more than half of the 45 member states' votes in the Olympic Council of Asia.

UNI