The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday last week announced that starting in May, Taiwanese residing in Japan could write “Taiwan” in the nationality column of household registry application forms and would no longer be forced to record their nationality as “Chinese.” Meanwhile, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services are upholding their policy of allowing Taiwan-born US citizens to write “Taiwan” on official documents; not “China Taiwan” or other names that do not accord with Taiwan’s reality. These policy changes not only reflect the international community’s respect toward the recognition of Taiwanese identity, but also show the elevation of Taiwan’s global importance.
Taiwan has a democratic electoral system, an independent government body, strong economic development, and unique culture and history. These factors allow Taiwan to have an unignorable existence in the international community. However, Taiwan has long faced political pressure from China, which has forced international organizations and other nations to adopt vague or even restrictive approaches toward Taiwan in formal and official documents. To that end, Japan’s and the US’ policy corrections are a far truer reflection of Taiwan’s reality and a big step in consolidating the nation’s place as a true member of the international community. The changes are by no means a single development, but a reflection of a changing global attitude toward our nation. Over the past few years, many European countries have issued official notices to use the name “Taiwan” and not “Taiwan, China,” “China, Taiwan” or other similar misnomers. Lithuania went further by allowing Taiwan to change the name of its de facto embassy in Vilnius to “Taiwan Representative Office in Lithuania.” These positive trends show that despite China’s use of suppression around the globe, countries are increasingly willing to respect Taiwan’s identity.
National identity has long been a point of discussion in Taiwan. Surveys show that Taiwanese increasingly recognize themselves solely as “Taiwanese,” not “Chinese” or both. That mutually echoes the international community’s trend of recognizing Taiwan. When foreign governments in their official documents acknowledge the name “Taiwan,” it has a massive significance for national recognition and helps establish a stronger internal consensus on identity. The change does not stop at the personal level, but also impacts entrepreneurial and other international exchanges: When Taiwanese businesses register overseas, using the name “Taiwan” would certainly help raise awareness of their brand name. Taiwanese who study or immigrate abroad, or who marry foreigners, can use “Taiwan” on their household registry or official documents. That is an important guarantee of national identity and legal rights.
Many countries in the past took vague stances on Taiwan’s official name to avoid angering China. However, when major world economies such as Japan and the US start respecting the choices of Taiwanese, it has a demonstrable effect on other nations. In the future, countries in Europe, Southeast Asia and perhaps even international organizations might be brought along by this trend and correct their naming methods regarding Taiwan. It is also a clear indication to our government that it should actively seek more global support. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as our consular offices and diplomatic outfits overseas, could use those policy changes to advance and promote Taiwan’s participation in international organizations, and to properly guarantee the rights and identities of Taiwanese overseas.
Edwin Yang is an associate professor at National Taiwan Normal University and chairman of the Central Taiwan Association of University Professors.
Translated by Tim Smith
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