TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A bipartisan pair of US senators introduced a bill Wednesday directing the US secretary of state to change the name of Taiwan's de facto embassy in the US to include “Taiwan” in the title. 

Senators John Curtis and Jeff Merkley announced the Taiwan Representative Office Act to emphasize the US' commitment to Taiwan’s democracy, per CNA. The bill calls on the Trump administration to rename the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office to the “Taiwan Representative Office.”

Curtis said this change would reflect that the office represents the people of Taiwan, “not just the economic interests of the city of Taipei.” It said that the name "Taipei" was originally chosen for TECRO to avoid provoking China.

The announcement emphasized that while the bill strengthens US-Taiwan relations, it maintains Washington’s “one China” policy, distinguishing it from Beijing’s “one-China principle.” The senators also said the bill does not alter the US stance on Taiwan’s international status.

Curtis said the US should not tolerate Chinese pressure that undermines the interests of the Taiwanese people. He said it should “stand by its democratic allies and friends around the world facing pressure and coercion from authoritarian regimes.” 

Merkley said, “Taiwan’s democracy is vital to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, and the United States must continue pursuing opportunities that strengthen our partnership with Taiwan." “This bipartisan bill demonstrates the United States’ longstanding commitment to supporting Taiwan by properly recognizing Taiwan’s status," he added. 

He emphasized the US must continue sending a strong message that it will use all available resources to build a robust and healthy relationship with Taiwan and other democratic partners.

The press release said that to maintain substantive ties with Taiwan, the US Congress passed the Taiwan Relations Act in 1979, reaffirming US commitments to Taiwan’s security and autonomy. This led to the establishment of TECRO, which functions as Taiwan’s de facto embassy in the US.

The bill also authorizes the secretary of state to negotiate the name change with TECRO. Once enacted, all US government documents, laws, maps, and records referring to TECRO will be updated.

In the previous congressional session, when Curtis was still a member of the House of Representatives, he and then-Senator Marco Rubio, now secretary of state, introduced this bill in their respective chambers.

Curtis, who previously served as a missionary in Taiwan, is known for his pro-Taiwan stance and Taiwanese fluency, per CNA. Asked by Taiwanese reporters in Congress in February whether US military aid to Taiwan might be unfrozen, he responded in Taiwanese, “Taiwan is a good friend, don’t worry."