Views split over change on passport

Some Taiwanese business travelers yesterday welcomed President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) move to add "issued in Taiwan" to passport covers, saying that it would help to distinguish them from their Chinese counterparts. But the move could also hamper the cross-strait dialogue, which has already been on the rocks since Chen was elected.

"It's a very positive policy to clarify the confusion Taiwanese businesspeople face when travelling around the world as they are often mistaken for Chinese," said David Liu (劉大俊), executive director of the market development department at the China External Trade Development Council (外貿協會).

In many countries Chinese are unwelcome guests because of their questionable intentions.

Liu said that he was often annoyed by customs officers who didn't know the difference between the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the People's Republic of China (China) when travelling in eastern-European and central-Asian countries.

"They would only allow me through customs after I spelled out Taiwan,'" Liu said.

Many nations are on the lookout for illegal Chinese immigrants who are looking for a better life outside of their communist-controlled homeland. But this situation is also creating a major hassle for Taiwanese travelers.

The head of the National Association of Small and Medium-Size Enterprises (中小企業協會) also put his stamp of approval on the plan yesterday, calling it good news for the nation's business travelers.

Day Sheng-tong (戴勝通), president of the association, has conducted business in the Dominican Republic for many years. He said that illegal immigrants from China often use the Caribbean country as a transit stop on their way to the US, creating headaches for Taiwanese travelers when customs officers treat then as potential criminals.

Nevertheless, observers say the political fallout could spell trouble for Taiwanese entrepreneurs in China.

"It will surely be a setback to resuming cross-strait talks, although China will not use it as an excuse to deny Taiwanese entry into China," said Jason Fong (馮志良), deputy secretary general to Chinese National Federation of Industries (工總).

"China will look at the move as a gesture to defy its `one China' principle."

Another pundit expressed a lack of concern for Beijing's reaction.

"China is sure to express its opposition, which Taiwan should disregard. Our national dignity is what's important."

While Taiwanese visiting China use "Taiwan compatriot travel documents" (台胞證) instead of Republic of China passports, other business groups, which assist businessmen with managing cross-strait trade, said the move may jeopardize relations.

Luo Huai-jia (羅懷家), executive director of Taiwan Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers' Association (電電工會), said yesterday that the government's move could put added pressure on Taiwanese.

"We are worried about spite-driven treatment from Beijing, such as asking Taiwanese entrepreneurs to apply for Chinese passports," Luo said.

Holders of "green" Taiwanese passports are already clearly distinguished from those holding the "red" Chinese passports, he said, adding that the move may only serve to reinforce mistrust and misunderstandings between Taiwan and China.

Downplaying the move, an aide to Gary Wang (王令麟) of the General Chamber of Commerce of the ROC (商總), Chen Cheng-yi (陳正毅), quoted the chairman as saying "the chamber only expects the controversy to escalate cross-strait tensions."