Whenever election season approaches, certain people who embrace the idea of the Republic of China (ROC) dare not speak of it when visiting the People’s Republic of China (PRC). This is the result of kowtowing to others when in their territory. People lacking spine and soul comply in these circumstances.
People like this are particularly fond of making a pilgrimage to China. In addition to their obsession with Chinese, they want to highlight their own presence and derive some benefit from their visits. Taiwanese are repelled by them, but at the same time feel sorry for them. In any case, such people do not really care. They are used to being despised anyway.
Defined by the ROC Constitution, the country is called the “Republic of China,” which is different from the actual situation. Many believe that it should be renamed “Taiwan” to differentiate it from the PRC. In English, “China” is present in both names, but given that Taiwan’s enemy is mightier than itself, the ROC can be easily dwarfed and misunderstood.
Using the name makes it more difficult for Taiwanese to survive in the international community. However, some claim that the ROC name cannot be changed, as if this is a legacy of their own and not a matter for discussion. The tug-of-war between pro-Taiwan and pro-ROC groups has been appropriated by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) as a tool to create tensions among Taiwanese. This is damaging the harmony and unity of Taiwanese society, while benefiting the CCP.
CCP PERSPECTIVE
From the perspective of the CCP, be it pro-ROC or pro-Taiwan, as long as one refuses to be ruled by the CCP as a part of China, they are all Beijing’s enemies.
The mindset and schemes of the CCP have been evolving. It has become normal for China’s military aircraft and warships to surround the nation. Missiles have also been launched over Taiwan. The US has been sending warning signals, but many in Taiwan are still thinking unrealistically about the near future.
All countries in the world are named after their geographical and national features. Examples include the US, Japan, Germany, the UK and Indonesia. These names are geographical and national, as is China. Taiwan is a geographical term, not a national name, whereas the ROC is a national name, not a geographical term.
The ROC today is no longer the ROC that existed under founder Sun Yat-sen’s (孫逸仙) military rule. The country has transformed into a Taiwanized ROC that cherishes freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law. This is why the CCP wants to eliminate the ROC, as today’s ROC threatens the legitimacy of China’s communist regime. The ROC is a tree growing in Taiwan, rather than in China. It is the same with the passport held by Taiwanese: It is one of the ROC and Taiwan.
Having gone through seven presidential elections, Taiwan is definitely not the ROC of Sun’s time, which can be considered the first republic. Today, the connotations and values of the ROC have changed. It has been interwoven with Taiwan’s fate and become disconnected from China.
Taiwan and the ROC are equal to one another. The “ROC” should be put into good use in a flexible way, and Taiwanese can change their country’s name when the right time comes. The most important thing is that they do not let the CCP take advantage of it and divide them.
Chuang Sheng-rong is a lawyer.
Translated by Emma Liu
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