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‘Chinese Taipei’? Don’t you mean
‘Taiwan’?
WHAT’S IN A NAME?Though ‘Chinese Taipei’ is used to refer
to Taiwan at international events, this label continues to leave people with a
puzzled look
By Loa Iok-sin
Although Taiwan is officially designated “Chinese Taipei” at the APEC forum — a
title that is supported by the government as a practical way to participate in
international organizations and events — the name receives little publicity at
APEC meeting venues other than when it appears in official documents.
The question “Chinese Taipei?” with a puzzled face is often the reaction when
security officers controlling access to the hotel where President Ma Ying-jeou’s
(馬英九) special envoy to the summit, former vice president Lien Chan (連戰), stays
and where the press room for media representatives from “Chinese Taipei” is
located.
To gain access to the hotel, one must be on a list submitted in advance to
security control and have a photo ID issued by the APEC meeting organizer.
‘AH, TAIWAN?’
The doubt is usually cleared when the person trying to gain access into the
hotel mentions the word “Taiwan” or when the officer -suddenly recalls something
and says: “Chinese Taipei? Ah, you mean Taiwan?”
On Wednesday, when Government Information Office officials stationed in Japan
took a group of newly arrived Taiwanese members of the press to the pressroom
and told the security officer that they were going to the “Chinese Taipei”
pressroom, the officer hesitated and talked with other security officers.
It was after officials mentioned the word “Taiwan” that the security officer
quickly took out the list for Taiwan’s press room, checked names and allowed
everyone to go into the hotel building.
IN THE DARK
Right as the Taiwanese press and officials passed through the gate, the security
officer quickly asked: “So, what’s the connection between ‘Taiwan’ and ‘Chinese
Taipei’?”
The name “Chinese Taipei” is used mainly in official documents, such as press
statements, and by Taiwan’s delegation and some reporters — at least that was
the initial case.
After a few days of confusion as to what “Chinese Taipei” was, however, members
of the Taiwanese delegation and media organizations finally gave up “Chinese
Taipei” and opted for “Taiwan” in all unofficial communications.
OFFICIAL SIGHTING
The name “Taiwan,” rather than “Chinese Taipei,” has also appeared on at least
one official occasion.
When Lien’s wife, Lien Fang Yu (連方瑀), visited Yokohama’s Chinatown on Friday
afternoon, the label on the vehicle APEC organizers arranged for her said
“Taiwan” instead of “Chinese Taipei.”
IN CONCLUSION...
Perhaps a question asked by a customs officer at Tokyo International Airport (Haneda)
to one of the Taiwanese reporters covering the summit who wrote “Chinese Taipei”
on an APEC-issued luggage tag for journalists could explain the confusion: “You
are from Taiwan, but why do you say you are from ‘Chinese Taipei’?”
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