On Dec. 9, 2001, the Taiwan New Century Foundation (
"Rectifying the Name of Taiwan -- The Basic Rights of the Taiwanese People" (
We strongly believe that the process of transforming Taiwan into a "normalized" nation with a name that matches reality must begin with "name rectification." Taiwan must participate in international organizations and events under the name "Taiwan." By choosing its own name, Taiwan can re-position itself and consolidate its national identity.
Our stance
In foreign relations, the government has called Taiwan a variety of names, creating much confusion in the international community. We need to boldly face the facts, cast off past dogmatic thinking, and affirm the necessity, legitimacy, and urgency of rectifying Taiwan's name.
"Rectifying" Taiwan's name does not mean merely "changing" its name. Name-rectification must involve returning the name that, from the outset, belonged solely to the people of Taiwan.
Because of the inaccuracy and awkwardness of the nation's current name, Taiwan has been unable to effectively express to the international community the fact that it is a sovereign, independent nation and not a part of China.
The government and people of Taiwan must adhere to the principle that "honesty reigns supreme" and rectify the name of our island nation, so that "Taiwan is Taiwan and China is China," and the threatening and confusing "One China" principle is debunked once and for all time.
In the short term, at the earliest opportunity we aim to establish a state-level functional organization -- a committee to rectify the name of Taiwan -- and conduct a comprehensive study into how we should refer to ourselves both inside and outside of Taiwan.
We also aim to begin to promote the concept of name rectification within major media and educational organizations, so that the people understand the reason for, as well as the significance and urgency of, name rectification.
At the same time, we call upon the government to demonstrate its commitment to name-rectification by ensuring that all government agencies and state-run enterprises such as China Petroleum Corp (中油), China Steel Corp (中鋼), China Shipbuilding Corp (中船), and the Central Bank of China (中央銀行) get rid of terms like "Chinese" (中華) and "China" (中國) in their names.
Additionally, we call for "Taiwan" to be printed on passports, and for government offices abroad, national delegations, and scholars attending attending international conferences or publishing papers in international publications to use the name "Taiwan" instead of "China" or "Chinese" in references to their nationality.
The "Chinese Passport" sign hanging above immigration counters at the nation's airports seen by those returning to Taiwan must be changed forthwith to "Taiwan Passport," so that people returning home aren't confused with those holding "People's Republic of China" passports.
This will also remind foreign passport holders that they have arrived in Taiwan, not China.
In the mid-term, we hope, through education and simplification of the processes by which civic groups change their names, to inspire grassroots organizations and companies to alter titles that include "Chinese" and "China."
In addition, as Taiwan's businessmen and civic groups interact more closely with their international counterparts, we will actively solicit support for the Taiwan name-rectification movement from Taiwan's friends in the international community, further raising Taiwan's profile overseas.
Over the long term, we aim to encourage public discussion and participation in the name-rectification movement, to consolidate the people's identification with the name "Taiwan" and to strengthen national consciousness.
We aim to include a referendum on the issue of name-rectification on the 2004 presidential election ballot. Shortly after the referendum, we would seek to make the necessary amendments to the Constitution to adopt a national title that truly reflects Taiwan and will dispel Taiwan's schizophrenia about its national character, and allow the nation to become a "normalized" member of the international community.
Background
For over five decades, the government has referred to Taiwan by many different names at international events, including "China" (中國), "The ROC" (中華民國), "The ROC on Taiwan" (中華民國在台灣), "Taiwan" (台灣), "Chinese Taipei" (中華台北), "Taipei" (台北), and "separate customs territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu" (台澎金馬獨立關稅領域).
Taiwan has long been a sovereign, independent country, and the democratization and economic liberalization that have taken place have received both approval and praise from the international community. Taiwan possesses all the key elements that are integral to the modern nation-state. What name other than "Taiwan" is most representative of all the people who live here?
In fact, what we find most bewildering is the fact that Taiwan's sports delegations use the name "Chinese Taipei" at all international competitions in which they take part, both at home and abroad. The government's policy of "substantive diplomacy" stresses the name "ROC on Taiwan."
Instead of "Taiwan," the name used during Taiwan's recent accession to the WTO was "Separate customs territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu." Many of the nation's economic and cultural offices abroad use the name "Taipei," instead of "Taiwan."
Well-known state-run enterprises such as Chinese Petroleum Corp, China Steel Corp, China Airlines (
A vast number of Taiwanese travel abroad each year, carrying their "Republic of China" passports. Often they are mistaken for citizens of the "People's Republic of China" by foreign immigration officers, and as a result have been subjected to untold hardship, torment, and inconvenience.
The people of Taiwan have endured unnecessary insult and injury. Why have we had to wait so long for the government to print "Taiwan" on our passports?
Although Taiwan is clearly the mother who reared us, the government has, in the name of "flexible diplomacy," called this nation all manner of strange names, deliberately avoiding the most natural and most widely recognized one -- "Taiwan."
Why is this so? Was it because of suppression by an alien regime? Or an innate sense of insecurity? Or, is it a more recent anxiety? Let us ponder the question.
The "ROC" lost its legal status and legitimacy internationally when the UN passed resolution 2758 in 1971, thereby recognizing the "People's Republic of China" as the sole legitimate representative of China. As long as Taiwan uses "China" and "Chinese" in its name, most nations will mistake it for the People's Republic of China, and mistakenly think that Taiwan is a part of China.
The title "Republic of China" has already proved itself to be impractical, frequently ridiculed as the "Republic of Confusion."
The misconception that Taiwan is part of China cannot be allowed to continue. The government and people must, by means of name-rectification, reaffirm Taiwan's sovereign, independent character internationally, and make it perfectly clear that Taiwan is not a part of China.
We cannot, just for the sake of joining an international organization, repeatedly allow ourselves to be forced to compromise on the issue of our name. Taiwan's dignity and national character are at stake.
If Taiwan is to become a first-rate nation with a name that matches reality, it must begin by rectifying its name.
Like individual people, every nation has its own name. This is a basic right. How a nation decides on a name is usually determined by that nation's self-awareness, as well as by the understanding of the international community.
The significance of the name-rectification movement will lie in its ability to consolidate a consensus in which all Taiwanese identify with this land. Over the years, amid continual economic development, Taiwan's society has moved from martial law to political democratization and localization.
Demonstrating the truth
Direct presidential elections and the transfer of power won widespread international praise. Taiwan's sovereign, independent status is a fact, although it is yet to be universally recognized by the international community. Not only has this left Taiwan residents' confused about their identity, but it has also caused the international community to mistake Taiwan for a part of China.
Resolving this question of national status will depend mainly on whether we possess enough courage, wisdom, and determination to effectively distinguish "Taiwan" from "China." Taiwan and China are two different countries. China's sovereignty and ruling authority does not extend to Taiwan.
Taiwan's sovereignty and ruling authority includes only Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu -- and does not extend to China and Outer Mongolia. Whether at home or abroad, whether in terms of their respective political, legal, economical, social, or cultural systems, Taiwan and China are poles apart.
Let's strengthen Taiwan's self-respect and confidence by reconstructing a Taiwanese nation based on Taiwan's own history, geography, politics, economics, society, education, and literature. This will be the foundation and the driving force for our future participation in the international community.
Chen Lung-chu is chairman of the New Century Foundation.
Translated by Scudder Smith
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