Mon, Apr 11, 2011 page8

• [ LETTERS ]

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  No more ‘Chinese Taipei’

  Your article about the use of “Chinese Taipei” (“Reporter’s Notebook: ‘Chinese Taipei’? Don’t You Mean ‘Taiwan?’” Nov. 14, 2010, page 3) superbly underscored and drove home with a vengeance the absolute and utter inanity of the denigrating and humiliating moniker.

  This cretinous, filthy epithet absolutely must be done away with. I have difficulty finding words that are adequate in describing the risible absurdity of the label.

  The core issue is that “Chinese Taipei” is an oxymoron, and the simple truth is that the term refers to absolutely no place on Earth.

  What would people’s reaction be if I spoke of “Spanish Vienna,” “German Paris” or “Romanian Lisbon?” People would think that I was extremely brain-damaged or totally insane.

  The term “Chinese Taipei” utterly defies the most basic common sense. It violates the most fundamental concept of human language, one of which — by the way — is found in the Confucian principle of the “Rectification of Names.” To say “Chinese Taipei” is like calling a horse a sow, or a camel a rabbit.

  I cringe every time I read the term, “Chinese Taipei.” This term is abhorrent, disgraceful, and disgusting.

  Please allow me to ask another question: Would it make any more sense to turn the tables around, and refer to “Taiwanese Beijing?” How do you think the Chinese would react to that? After all both the Chinese Communist Party and their pandering, toady lackeys in the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) both make the claim that “it’s all one country.”

  If it is truly one country — as both the Chinese Communists and the KMT insist, then it should make absolutely no difference at all whether this supposedly “one China” is called “Chinese Taipei” or “Taiwanese Beijing.”

  There are people who will say that the name “Taiwanese Beijing” is ludicrous, but this only serves to prove my point that the inane moniker of “Chinese Taipei” is no less risible.

  I find a certain poignancy in the question asked by a customs official at Tokyo International Airport.

  “You are from Taiwan, but why do you say you are from ‘Chinese Taipei?’” he said.

  Indeed. Why are these people from Taiwan forced to say that they are from “Chinese Taipei?”

  We all know very well the reason why. It’s all China’s doing, in collusion with the KMT.

  However, someone, somehow has to put an end to this nonsense.

  Someone has to say: “This stops now; it ain’t going any further.”

  And now, dear reader, if you will most kindly excuse me, I have to rush to catch a plane — to Albanian Washington.

  MICHAEL SCANLON

  East Hartford, Connecticut

  Japan thanks Taiwan

  I know from the news on the Internet that you have kindly sent Japan ￥1 billion (US$11.8 million) in aid. Of course, even a small sum is appreciated by us.

  Anyway, I would like to say that I appreciate your help.

  In my case, my family and myself are all safe because we live in Saitama, near Tokyo.

  I know that your government offered to send us your rescue team, but our -government refused it because of the Chinese government. I am very sorry our government did so.

  I think that in the case of such a huge disaster we must help each other as fellow human beings, despite the interference of any governments. If you suffer such a disaster, we know we are obligated to help.

  Newspapers said the earthquake happened at 2:46pm and caused no damage, but at 3:20pm, the tsunami destroyed all of the northern area of Japan.

  This month we have experienced a major catastrophe, but this experience will make us stronger, not only for us but also for you and all the world.

  It would be easy for you to forget the disaster as time passes, but I think that the experience should make all countries stronger.

  Your country is also an island country in the Pacific Ocean, so please learn from our experience to save yourselves, to make a happy country.

  Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart. I love you.

  Best regards,

  YOSHIAKI TSUZUKI

  Saitama, Japan
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