Not ROC but Taiwan

By Hu Young-sup

Some Taiwanese people have been pushing to change their country's official name from the Republic of China (ROC) to Taiwan. As expected, pro-independence groups are particularly enthusiastic about this idea, stressing the need to rename the island nation. Their aim is clear: Proclaim the nation's sovereignty by dismantling an outdated designation, even by changing the Constitution if needed.

Independence advocates say the name ROC gives the impression of association with China. They assert Taiwan should be just Taiwan, which has no common origin with mainland China, historically or culturally. Native Taiwanese people, who had lived on the “Formosa” island and still live there now, don't share any ethnic similarities with the Chinese, either, they insist.

Even President Tsai Ing-wen showed support for the move after taking office, declining to use ROC in favor of Taiwan when introducing herself to dignitaries from other countries. Underneath all this was consciousness that previous rulers from the mainland were invaders, not much different from their Dutch, Spanish, Manchurian and Japanese predecessors who had occupied the island throughout the course of history.

These pro-independence groups often stage rallies, calling for the Tsai administration and her Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to do away with the name ROC, to make clear their intention to pursue independence from Beijing. However, the opposition Kuomintang Party (KMT) sticks to ROC, stressing the mainland's political influence over the island since the end of World War II is a historical fact.

As time passes, however, those who prefer Taiwan as their country name are likely to gain influence, even though many of them do not want to go as far as to demand immediate independence from China. They support the “status quo” in cross-strait relations, but feel the need for Taiwan to clarify its national identity, differentiated from China, on global stages.

China is fanning, intentionally or not, such a sentiment by obstructing Taipei's efforts to participate in international bodies, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and Interpol. It raises serious questions among the Taiwanese as to where Taiwan stands in the world now. Both the Taiwanese government and people are outraged by Chinese leaders trying to isolate the nation by taking away their diplomatic allies.

The renaming movement proceeds in different ways. For instance, some put “Republic of Taiwan” stickers on their passports, even at the risk of being denied entry to foreign countries. Some Taiwanese civic groups plan to make a petition to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for the nation's athletes to be allowed to participate in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics wearing jerseys bearing “Taiwan” instead of “Chinese Taipei.” Besides, the Taipei municipal administration lately is said to refer to itself as “City of Taipei, Taiwan,” not the Republic of China, as seen in the signature paper for a recent ceremony to form a sisterhood with Prague.

It is apparent, however, that there are limits to Taiwan's attempts to seek independence by renaming its official title and revising the Constitution. Chinese leaders have warned that they might use military means should Taiwan continue to move toward independence. That may also explain why the Taiwanese government stays within the “status quo” policy.

The aggravating situation in Hong Kong and Beijing's adamant stance could also be reasons for Taiwan and its people to remain low-key at least for the time being.

Hu Young-sup (gracias1234@naver.com) is a columnist.