Hsieh pushes `Taiwan' label

DPP Chairman and Kaohsiung City Mayor Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) yesterday morning suggested that the government take "Taiwan" as its official name externally, local media reported. When asked about his view on the independence of East Timor during an interpellation session at Kaohsiung City Council, Hsieh said that Taiwan should keep its official name, Republic of China, internally in order for the Taiwanese people to gradually reach a consensus on the nation's future direction. When dealing with the international community, however, the government should take "Taiwan" as its official name in order to gain recognition.