Taiwan is everyone's country and their mother, President Chen Shui-bian (
Chen made the remarks while speaking at the ceremony to launch the state-owned postal service company's new name.
"To change the names of state-owned companies from `China' to `Taiwan' is just the first step on the road to introducing Taiwan to foreigners without confusion. In the future, we will continue our attempts to join the UN and also participate in more international activities using the name `Taiwan,'" the president said.
PHOTO: WANG MIN-WEI, TAIPEI TIMES
Regarding the US government's official comment that it did not support the changing names of state-owned companies and similar complaints from members of the public, Chen said that it was worthwhile anyway as it was the right thing to do.
"There are always going to be challenges and difficulties for those doing righteous things. But, as long as we insist on doing the right thing, we will eventually win the respect and support of the public," Chen said.
The president said that it was the Qing Dynasty that established the "Taiwan Post Bureau" on March 22, 1888. The government was simply restoring the name and restoring history.
"During the White Terror era, `Taiwan' was forbidden for use by government offices or private firms because of the rigid `China' ideology," Chen said. "But, today, Taiwan is already a democratic country. Taiwanese people should recognize ourselves and value our culture, as well as our name."
The president said that changing names from "China" to "Taiwan" was not denying anything.
"On the contrary, it is an attitude that faces facts," he said.
Chen said that the White Terror era had been over for nearly 20 years but many Taiwanese people have not yet freed their minds, hence their opposition to the idea of changing names from "China" to "Taiwan."
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