Taiwan, Chinese officials scuffled in Fiji: report

A physical clash between Taiwan and Chinese officials at a diplomatic reception in Fiji left the rival powers trading allegations of assault yesterday. Taipei accused two Chinese officials of gatecrashing an event at the luxurious Grand Pacific Hotel in the Fijian capital Suva on October 8 and assaulting an employee, putting him in hospital.The Chinese embassy in Fiji confirmed its officials were in "public area outside the function venue" on unspecified "official duties" on the day of the incident.But the Chinese embassy claimed the Taiwanese mission's staff "acted provocatively" and caused "injuries and damage to one Chinese diplomat".Both sides said they had asked the Fijian police and other island authorities to investigate. A Fiji police spokeswoman told AFP the probe was ongoing and its officers were working on the issue with the Pacific nation's foreign affairs ministry. She declined to provide further details.China regards democratic Taiwan as a rebel province and has vowed to one day seize the self-ruled island.