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U.S. use of 'Chinese Taipei' is big warning: lawmaker

ROC Central News Agency

2010/03/01 18:39:33

Taipei, March 1 (CNA) An opposition lawmaker has demanded that Taiwan's government defend the country's sovereignty by asking the U.S. government for a correction after referring to Taiwan as "Chinese Taipei" for the first time in official usage.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Pacific Tsunami Warning Center of the U.S. listed Taiwan as "Chinese Taipei" in alist of countries that were warned of a possible tsunami generated by astrong earthquake in Chile, said opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Kuan Bi-ling.

The U.S. had never before used the "Chinese Taipei" moniker in official documents and U.S. leaders have never used such a term in dialogues with with their Chinese counterparts, the lawmaker said.

Describing the U.S. move as "a big change and a serious warning," Kuan criticized Taiwan's foreign ministry and other government agencies for failing to ask for a correction immediately.

Many perceive that the Chinese Taipei moniker belittles Taiwan's sovereignty, although it is often used by Taiwan in international sports and political events because it is acceptable to China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory. (By Alex Jiang) ENDITEM/ls