Students want nation's name changed

The Parents Society of Overseas Students (留學生家長協進會) yesterday called for the nation's name to be changed from the Republic of China to Taiwan to distinguish it from China.

At a press conference yesterday, Taiwanese overseas students related their experiences abroad of foreigners confusing the People's Republic of China with the Republic of China. When the students told their friends they were from Taiwan, however, everyone would understand clearly where they were from, the students said.

"When I first went to Canada, I was asked by customs where I was from and I said ROC. The customs [officer] was suspicious and detained me for a while. Then I said I was from Taiwan and they immediately let me pass," said Michael Chiang (江奇紘), a student from the University of Saskatchewan.

Chiang also showed his registration certificate, which was not only misspelled but also said that he was from "the country of Tiawan, (Province of China)." He said he was angry when he saw that and protested to the university.

Way Chiu (邱國維), who is serving in the army and has studied in Singapore, Australia and the US, said that for foreigners the difference between Taiwan and China was clear.

"For foreigners the issue is simple: China is China, and Taiwan is Taiwan. For me it is also like that. Mainland China is too far away for me to identify with. I much more closely identify with Houlung Creek [in Miaoli County] behind my home than with the Yangtze River or the Yellow River," Chiu said.

Meanwhile, some are calling for Taiwan to become a part of the US.

Richard Hartzell, an American who promotes human rights in Taiwan, said that according to his research, Taiwan could be regarded as an unincorporated part of US territory. He said that after Japan surrendered in World War II, it signed the San Francisco Peace Treaty with the US under which it relinquished control of Taiwan and Penghu.

Hartzell said that because the treaty said nothing about who was to take over control of Taiwan and Penghu it could be assumed that Japan had ceded them to the US, which had liberated them. Hartzell said he was hoping that he could get people to sign his petition to have the US Congress hold a hearing on Taiwan's status.

David Chou (周威霖), chairman of the 51st Club, is pressing for the question of whether Taiwan should become the 51st state of US to be posed in a referendum.

"When Taiwan decides on its future, US interests have to be taken into consideration otherwise it would not be viable," Chou said.

Chou said this was because the Taiwan Relations Act confirmed the position of the US as the protector and guardian of Taiwan and its people. It is not possible for the US to disregard its interests in Taiwan, so Taiwan has to have US interests in mind when making important decisions, he said.