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Hsieh says name change issue should be put aside

Premier Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) said yesterday that the issue of changing the country's official name should not become an ideological argument.

Speaking to legislators during a questioning session, Hsieh proposed that the issue be put aside until a consciousness of common destiny is established in Taiwan so as to reduce the controversy surrounding the issue.

Hsieh agreed that it would be convenient and practical to change the country's name to "Taiwan" from the "Republic of China," since the current name can be abbreviated to become "China."

However, Hsieh pointed out that Taiwan faces a diplomatic deadlock resulting from China's international campaign to isolate it. Beijing claims that "Taiwan is part of the People's Republic of China [PRC]."

In these circumstances, it is difficult for Taiwan to expand its foreign relations regardless of whether is uses the name "Republic of China [ROC]" or "Taiwan," Hsieh said.

According to Hsieh, the pro-independence movement in Taiwan is confusing the international community, making many countries believe that Taiwan is not yet an independent country and that it is now trying to gain independence from the PRC.

Therefore, Taiwan should from now on avoid calling for independence and instead emphasize that the ROC is an independent and sovereign state separate from the PRC and that it is not necessary to declare independence from any country, he said.

Taiwan should also follow this course is its own national security, as it needs to consider the possible reaction from China, he said.
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