Taiwan redesigned its passport so it won’t be confused with China

Taiwanese officials announced a change in the passport design, with the inscription “Taiwan” (Taiwan) larger and smaller than the inscription “ROC.”

Officials say the redesign is to avoid confusion between Taiwanese and Chinese citizens.

This will not change the fact that Taiwan becomes an “impregnable part of China,” said a spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Taiwanese officials announced the new passport designs at a ceremony on Wednesday (September 2).

The English words “Republic of China”, the official name of Taiwan, will be changed from the top position of the title page to the smallest font surrounding the emblem, and the English word “Taiwan” will be larger and larger. printed. Dark.

Since the beginning of the corona virus epidemic, “our people have always hoped that we can highlight the presence of Taiwan, preventing people from mistaking them for China,” the foreign minister said. Taiwanese Joseph Wu told reporters.

Taiwan has been autonomous since 1949, when the mainland government fled to the island after losing to the Communist Party in China’s civil war. Taiwan has a democratically elected government, it has its own army and its own currency.

But in keeping with the one-China policy, the Beijing government claims that it is the legitimate ruler of Taiwan. That Taiwan would one day return under Chinese leadership, by force if necessary.

When Taiwan announced a new passport design on Wednesday (September 2), highlighting the word “Taiwan”, a Taiwan passport cover design competition featured unique and cultural characteristics. off the island, according to Taiwannews.

Organized by the New Power Party (NPP), an opposition party formed in 2015, the competition runs from May 20 to August 31. A total of 127 entries were submitted to the international standards and innovation categories, organizers told CNN.

These designs attempt to emphasize the identity of Taiwan, seeking to solve the problems that Taiwanese often encounter when they are mistaken for Chinese due to the official name “ROC” displayed on the passport, according to the NPP.

The award-winning international standard category design showcases the Taiwanese hit and a host of iconic features, including orchids, Formosan deer, Formosan black bear, and Mikado pheasant. The second and third winners design images of a butterfly with wings “shaped like Taiwan” and a Taiwanese island with multi-colored dots representing diversity.

Vibrant Taiwanese cuisine was also included in the design of the contest. Taiwanese milk tea made many entree appearances, while braised pork rice, one of Taiwan’s most notable and affordable snacks, appeared in a design that emphasized integrity. view of Taiwan.

The contest received many animated comments on online forums. A person named Sharlene King wrote on Twitter: “Taiwan is considering new passport designs. One of them is a model with a milk tea shape on a bird’s head. Please choose a milk tea sample placed on top from you”. Let’s go! “