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Taiwan Plans New Passort, Likely
to Anger China
TAIPEI, June 12 (Reuters) - Taiwan decided on Thursday
to add the word ``Taiwan'' in English to the cover of
its new passports from September, a politically
sensitive move likely to irk rival China.
Taiwan's foreign ministry originally wanted to add ``Issued
in Taiwan'' to passport covers last year, but was
forced to shelve that plan after strong criticism from
Beijing, which said the self-governing island was
moving toward independence.
Taiwan passports currently say ``Republic of China''
on the cover in English and Chinese, a legacy from
when the former ruling Nationalist Party ran mainland
China.
Foreign Minister Eugene Chien said the change was
aimed at helping foreign customs officials and
airlines distinguish Taiwanese from mainland Chinese
citizens.
``The majority of people feel there is a need so the
ministry plans to make the change to answer people's
call. This is purely to make travel more convenient,''
Chien told a news conference, denying the decision was
politically motivated.
There was no immediate reaction from Beijing.
The Nationalists were formerly the Republic of China
government, who ruled the mainland from Nanjing before
fleeing to Taiwan after losing a civil war to the
Communists in 1949.
Beijing insists there is only one China, regarding
self-governing Taiwan as a breakaway province that
must be eventually reunified, by force if necessary.
The Nationalists were ousted from power in Taiwan by
the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in 2000. The
DPP officially stands for Taiwan independence, though
party chief and president, Chen Shui-bian, has
moderated his stance since his election.
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