Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs removes the word “China” from the press cardTaiwan News

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Wednesday (May 31) that it will change the terminology used on foreign press cards amid criticism for the term “China”.

According to the Liberty Times, the credentials currently issued to foreign journalists in Taiwan list them as “living in China,” referring to Taiwan’s official name, the Republic of China. The People’s Republic of China also uses “China” credentials in its news.

After more than a month of review, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs officially deleted the original Mandarin wording.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Yongjian said the new journalist credentials would list “Taiwan” after “Republic of China” in English. Foreign media generally refers to Taiwan as “Taiwan,” Liu said, so the amendment is in line with general understanding and helps avoid confusion.

The revised design was simplified after taking into account the layout of press credentials in other countries, he said.

These new press credentials will be provided to incoming foreign media correspondents. However, those currently holding valid press credentials can continue to do so, the spokesman said.

Those interested in obtaining a new certificate can apply for a replacement through the Department of International Information Services of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Taiwan has 150 journalists from 83 foreign media outlets from 23 countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Slovakia, Denmark, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, and Japan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. South Korea, Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Turkey, Colombia and Brazil.