An investigation into the disqualification of a Taiwanese competitor at the Asian Games is to continue after the Olympic Council of Asia met officials from Taiwan and the World Taekwondo Federation yesterday.

The OCA said it was searching for a "fair solution" after receiving an official protest from Taiwan and holding a hearing with international and continental taekwondo governing bodies.

Yang Shu-chun was disqualified during her match against Vietnam's Thi Hau Vu when judges ruled she was using an illegal number of sensor pads on her feet, which would have boosted her scoring chances.

The Chinese mainland yesterday urged international sports organizations to quickly determine the validity of the disqualification.

Fan Liqing, a spokeswoman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, made the remarks at a press conference in response to questions regarding Yang's appeal against the judgment.

The disqualification came when Yang was ahead in a match against Thi Hau Vu.

After her disqualification, Yang refused to leave the match mat in protest, but mainland Asian Taekwondo Union officials refrained from punishing the entire Chinese Taipei team for her behavior, said Fan.

The mainland, including a mainland technical judge at the Games, Zhao Lei, had offered help within their capacity and sought to protect the rights of the Chinese Taipei taekwondo team, said Fan.

Zhao Lei had participated in the disqualification procedure, and could be subject to legal procedures in Taiwan, according to Taiwan media reports.

Fan said Zhao had done his best to safeguard the Taiwan athlete's rights and helped to ensure the entire Chinese Taipei taekwondo team continued to take in the Games.