Letter: What's in a name?

The Chinese Petroleum Corp (CPC) is planning to change its name to the CPC, Taiwan ("MOEA launches state-run name change campaign," Feb. 3, page 1).

However, the new name seems to suggest that the company is a Taiwanese subsidiary of CPC in China. Therefore the stated purpose of the name change -- to avoid confusion -- is not served at all.

There is no need to keep the old acronym (CPC) either, because people will still refer to the company as the Chinese Petroleum Corp. Likewise, Kentucky Fried Chicken has been renamed KFC for years, but people still remember its old name.

To avoid further confusion, it would be advisable to change CPC to Taiwan Petroleum Corp (TPC). In the last few decades, the world's largest oil company has changed its name from Esso to Exxon and Exxon Mobil. The name change to Exxon even involved litigation. Changing CPC to TPC would be much easier and less costly.

The proposed new name for China Shipbuilding Corp (CSBC) is Taiwan Shipbuilding Corp, but it was reported that the old acronym, CSBC, will be kept. If so, this will simply mean more confusion, implying that China is Taiwan and vice versa. Let's keep it simple and use TSBC as the acronym for the new name.

Similarly, China Airlines should be rechristened Taiwan Airlines. China Steel should be changed to Taiwan Steel and the nation's Olympic team should change its awkward "Chinese Taipei" title to "Taiwan."

If Taiwan wants official independence, it can declare independence from the Republic of China and change its name to Republic of Taiwan. This name change will unify the national identity. The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) should also consider changing its name to the Taiwanese Nationalist Party or the Nationalist Party if it does not want to be considered a foreign political party.

Charles Hong
Columbus, Ohio