Language
Country/Area
No result found
The political fog between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait: Why is the term "Taiwan, China" controversial?
On the global political stage, many terms are used in more than just literal descriptions, but are often related to international relations and sovereignty disputes. Taking the terms "Taiwan, China", "Taiwan, China" and "Taipei, China" as examples, the use and interpretation of these terms have had a significant impact on cross-strait relations.
These nouns are not just simple geographical markers; they also imply complex political meanings and sovereignty claims.
When Chinese official media and some international organizations use "Taiwan, China" to refer to Taiwan, they are actually placing Taiwan's status under the control of the People's Republic of China (PRC). This usage has been severely criticized by both the Taiwanese government and the public, who believe that this expression not only erases the sovereignty of the Republic of China (ROC), but also weakens its international status.
When discussing the controversy over the name "Taiwan, China", we cannot avoid the historical background of the division of the two sides of the Taiwan Strait in 1949. At the end of World War II, Japan returned Taiwan to the Republic of China. However, with the end of the civil war, the Communists established the People's Republic of China, while the Kuomintang retreated to Taiwan. At this point, two "Chinas" were formed between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait: one is the Republic of China that actually controls Taiwan, and the other is the People's Republic of China that controls the mainland.
This complex political background makes the term "Taiwan, China" controversial because it implies that Taiwan is part of China, a view that completely violates Taiwan's current political status quo.
Contrary to China's official statement, Taiwan's political status remains an unresolved issue. Under international law, the question of Taiwan's sovereignty has become more ambiguous since the signing of the 1951 San Francisco Peace Treaty, which did not clearly explain Taiwan's legal status.
The Positioning Problem between Taiwan and China
In the official context of the People's Republic of China, all expressions involving Taiwan are prefixed with "China", such as "Taiwan, China", "Taiwan Province", etc. This is not just a linguistic choice, but also a political tactic to try to eliminate Taiwan’s sovereignty claims.
Taiwan voluntarily entered international organizations, but can only use the name "Chinese Taipei", which is actually an invisible restriction on its international status.
In the international community, especially in organizations led by the United Nations, Taiwan's existence is often expressed in the form of "Taiwan, China" due to the influence of the People's Republic of China. This further deepened the hostility between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait and affected the identity of the Taiwanese people.
Opposition voices in Taiwan
The Taiwanese government and most Taiwanese people insist that the use of the term "Taiwan, China" or "Taiwan, China" is a direct challenge to the sovereignty of the Republic of China. In recent years, as China continues to exert external pressure, Taiwan's sensitivity to these issues has continued to increase.
Faced with China's growing military pressure and diplomatic isolation, Taiwan's sovereignty consciousness has become stronger and the public's support for independence has also been growing.
As an important ally of Taiwan, the United States' stance on the Taiwan issue is relatively vague. Although official U.S. policy recognizes the People's Republic of China as the sole legitimate Chinese government, it has always been skeptical about Taiwan's status and does not fully accept China's interpretation of Taiwan.
International community’s response
In areas such as international aviation and commercial trade, many foreign companies and institutions are forced to follow the standards of the People's Republic of China and list Taiwan as "Taiwan, China" or "Taipei, China." Although this policy operates under China's influence, it is a form of long-term cultural and political oppression for Taiwan.
Many Taiwanese believe this approach obscures the facts and ignores their existence as a separate political entity.
Whether it is the continued use of "Chinese Taipei" at sports events or the identification of Taiwan's identity in other international conferences, these all show the confusion and differences in the international community over Taiwan's status. With the rise of the Taiwanese independence movement, the controversy over the term "Taiwan, China" will only intensify.
Future Possibilities
As tensions between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait grow more pronounced, Taiwan's position and self-identity in the international community face challenges. Within Taiwan, there are different voices regarding future choices. On the one hand, some people advocate strengthening engagement with the international community and striving for greater international recognition; on the other hand, others advocate pursuing peaceful coexistence with China.
Against such a background, how do we view the political significance of the term “Taiwan, China”? How will it affect the future of the Taiwanese people?
In such a complex international environment, how do you think Taiwan’s political status will evolve in the future?
