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Editorial: Passport clarification welcomed

Here are some questions right out of the TV show Jeopardy: What is the difference between the "Republic of China (ROC)" and the "People's Republic of China (PRC)"? What is the difference between the ROC and PRC national flags? What is the difference between the ROC and PRC passports? Not only are most people in the world clueless to these differences, but many people on the two sides of the Taiwan Strait have similar difficulties. In fact, Taiwanese travelers have just about accepted being regularly mistaken for PRC citizens during their international travels as the normal state of affairs.

During the 20th anniversary of the founding of the US-based Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA), President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) made the announcement that the word "Taiwan" will soon be added to the covers of ROC passports. The goal is to put an end to confusing ROC passport holders with PRC passport holders.

As to how the new policy will be implemented, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has two main options:

1. Place the parenthesized word "Taiwan" after the words "Republic of China" on passport covers. This, however, runs the risk being seen as formally changing the country's name or conceding that Taiwan is a PRC province.

2. Add the words "issued in Taiwan" on the lower half of passport covers.

MOFA is going with plan 2, the one that it was hoped would have the smallest level of backlash. Unfortunately, it still triggers debate in and out of Taiwan. The pro-China political party in the nation -- the PFP -- and the spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office in China -- Zhang Mingqing (張銘清), both condemn the move as a step toward Taiwanese independence. The KMT intends to seek a constitutional interpretation, while the DPP prefers plan 1.

This newspaper supports MOFA's move, because it is the most pragmatic approach. The ROC was founded before the PRC. Even after 1949, the ROC's independence from the PRC was still a fact, although the former's territory had decreased in size. As an independent sovereign state, the ROC government can decide whatever kind of cover it wants on its passports.

Next, although the constitutionally defined ROC territory still covers China and the ROC's official capitol is still Nanking, it is clearly stated on ROC passports that the place of issuance is the country's temporary capitol of Taipei. Without question, this is a constitutional administrative measure.

The "ROC on Taiwan" has become the widely accepted name for the country. Adding the words "issued in Taiwan" on passport covers, in reality, means the same as "ROC on Taiwan." The opposition finds the name "ROC on Taiwan" acceptable, yet strongly opposes the new passport cover. This is simply a political maneuver, intended to make the government look bad, and provide an excuse to cut MOFA's budget.

Recently, a debate over what is "one China" has been taking place among media, members of the US Congress and diplomats in Washington. Many people submitted letters to newspapers, arguing over what is ROC, PRC and "one China." Even those in Washington who are most knowledgeable on China issues are becoming confused.

Of course, the new passport cover does not work as well as the name "Republic of Taiwan" in terms of avoiding confusion. But, to avoid additional controversy, adding the words "issued in Taiwan" is acceptable, for now.
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