The international community keeps its eyes shut to the fact that there are two distinct entities -- one Taiwan and one China -- and country on each side of the Taiwan Strait.
It is a reality that can no longer be ignored. Continuing to do so jeopardizes peace and security in Asia, which potentially involves Japan, Korea, as well as the US. Many still prefer clinging to a "one China" policy despite differing interpretations among nations.
Domestically, Taiwan desperately tries to make the distinction between Peoples' Republic of China and the Republic of China (ROC), despite the fact that the ROC ceased to exist in the minds of diplomatic communities when it was expelled from the UN in 1971.
Taiwan has experimented with terms like "ROC on Taiwan," "Taiwan is the ROC," "Taiwan equals the ROC," "Taiwan (ROC)," "Taiwan-ROC" and of late "Taiwan, ROC." But no matter what one uses, the reality remains that Taiwan is Taiwan and China is China. Two distinct governments exist.
Despite this, many unification supporters continue clinging to the use of "ROC" in the name of patriotism. They are unwilling to recognize that doing so does more harm than good to the 23 million residents of Taiwan.
At present, the ROC maintains diplomatic relations with fewer than 30 nations, or so-called nations. Even the US, one of Taiwan's staunchest allies, has switched its diplomatic ties from Taiwan to China.
In its place, the US enacted the Taiwan Relations Act. (Note that it is called the Taiwan Relations Act, and not the ROC Relations Act.)
The Taiwan Relations Act has been cited in various contexts to suit various purposes and motives. It has been characterized as everything from worthless to absolutely essential.
Certainly, the Act has its limitations, but it provides adequate protection for Taiwan from foreign invasion. Without it, Taiwan would have been ruled by a communist regime shortly after the US embassy was removed from Taiwan in 1980.
A national referendum must be held as soon as possible to immediately cease the use of the term ROC and use Taiwan instead. The first nationally elected president, Lee Teng-Hui (
To gain international acceptance, a domestic consensus must first be achieved. To begin with, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, China Airlines and the like should be renamed to reflect Taiwan.
Popularizing the use of "Taiwan" instead of "ROC" can help distinguish Taiwan from China -- the People's Republic of China.
More importantly, much confusion could be avoided in the international scene. Citizenry around the world readily recognize these two distinctive entities. The government in Taiwan must take a firm stand on using "Taiwan" consistently, and have the perseverance to carry it out.
Wavering between "Taiwan" and "ROC" prolongs the diplomatic isolation between Taiwan and the rest of the world.
Political entities all over the world avoid "ROC" like the plague but are receptive to Taiwan. I am certain Taiwan will be admitted to far more international organizations than the ROC has been.
The Global Alliance for Democracy and Peace was established to promote the peaceful coexistence for both sides of the Strait. Taiwan has been ruled separately since 1895, when it was ceded to Japan.
For peaceful and equal status to continue, distinctive names must be used. We must insist on using "Taiwan" exclusively rather than "ROC" as a part of its name.
We agree there is only one China -- let the mainland natives have it. And let the residents of Taiwan have Taiwan.
Yu-Chong Lin, PhD
Honolulu
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