TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taipei mayoral candidates Puma Shen (沈伯洋) and Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) offered differing views on the use of “Chinese Taipei” after the term appeared on a Taipei Arena display and became an election issue, CNA reported Tuesday.
SETN reported that the controversy expanded after an old video circulated online showing Chiang’s wife, Shih Fang-hsuan (石舫亘), using “Chinese Taipei” at an APEC-related event in 2017. Chiang responded to criticism of Shih by saying “Chinese Taipei” is Taiwan’s official member name at APEC.
Shen said candidates’ family members should not be drawn into election disputes.
The DPP mayoral candidate said the larger issue was why Taiwan has to use “Chinese Taipei” in some international organizations. Shen said attention should focus on the circumstances that have led Taiwan to participate under the name, per UDN.
Chiang said the same standard should apply to everyone who uses the term. The incumbent mayor pointed out that DPP government officials have also attended international meetings under the name “Chinese Taipei,” including APEC events.
Taiwan joined APEC in 1991 under the official member name “Chinese Taipei.” It continues to use the name at APEC meetings regardless of which political party is in power.
The term is linked to Taiwan’s limited diplomatic recognition and its dispute with China over international representation. Beijing opposes its participation in many international organizations under names that suggest separate statehood.
“Chinese Taipei” emerged as a compromise that allowed Taiwan to participate in some international organizations without resolving disputes over how the country should be represented. Taiwan has also competed at the Olympics under the name since the 1980s.
The name is not used in every international organization. At the World Trade Organization, Taiwan participates as the “Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu,” which the WTO also refers to as Chinese Taipei.
