臺灣文化•臺灣意識 Taiwanese Culture•Taiwanese Idendity

Letter to Contra Costa Times

It is 'Taiwan'

I'm delighted the Times significantly reported on the Taiwanese rally in Taipei demanding the island's name be officially changed from "Republic of China" to "Taiwan."

The name "Republic of China" was used by the nationalist party, Kuo Ming Tang, that dreamed of taking back Communist-controlled mainland China. They used it as a tool to control and fool the troops who went to Taiwan in defeat.

The Kuo Ming Tang retreated to Taiwan, imposed martial law, terrorized Taiwanese and murdered a generation of intellectual Taiwanese.

The Kuo Ming Tang controlled Taiwan for more than 50 years. The results of the 2000 presidential election, with the Kuo Ming Tang's defeat, finally returned Taiwan to its people.

Taiwan belongs to Taiwanese; no nation, including China, has the right to claim or take over Taiwan.

The majority of Taiwanese have no desire to have Taiwan confused with China, much less become part of China. Changing Taiwan's name is the first step in the right direction to clear anyone's confusion.

I applaud the 125,000 Taiwanese who demonstrated.

I plead the United States and the rest of the world render their firm support to Taiwan so that its people can be free from China's threat forever.

Pam Tsai

Albany