2002/04/09 Wantzu Liu
Issued in Taiwan

You must have read it  by now that A’Bian has approved  the addition of “issued in Taiwan”
on the cover of Taiwan’s passport. Along with 500 FAPA members attending FAPA 20th anniversary 
celebration/symposium, I heard it with my own ears. Al-low me to translate directly what he 
said at this meeting. After paying homey tributes, A’Bian stated…” I have good news to report 
to you. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has submitted the document to me and I have approved and 
signed it. From now on, Taiwan passport will have the addition of Taiwan on it…” Suddenly, it 
erupted into thundering applause. All of us stood up cheering,“go, go, Taiwan,”“go, go, A’Bian.” 
The speech was short but, interrupted by countless applause. It ended with A’Bian’s signature 
of holding his fists up, urging his audience to stride on.

The shock came the next morning as Jeff, Julie Yeh and I waited in the bus to start our tour.
David Sun brought in the Liberty Times. There it was a picture of new passport at ＼＼the front 
page jumping out at you. Underneath was “Issued in Taiwan,”not plain, simple “Taiwan.”A sense 
of shock, disbelief, then deceit and anger roamed through my emotions. A’Bian’s speech never 
indicated such. I was really taken back by this final version. I felt cheated and disappointed, 
because these ardent Taiwan supporters could have taken the blunt, had he told us this was the 
best he could do. While grappling with surprise, I replayed his statement over and over. I did 
not  recall him ad-dressing the“issued in”at all.

Needless to say, the pro-China forces, including James Soong, Ma Ying-jeou and media, were all 
out attacking A’Bian, as if they were so plagued by the word “Taiwan”that they would do anything 
to eliminate Taiwan. Fortunately, there are Taiwan Daily and the Liberty Times that you can read 
“letters to the editers”and find the voice of Taiwan’s citizens. Turning on TV at  the hotel 
and seeing FAPA President Wu Ming-chi in the panel at  Min-Shi (TV) convinced me that I was not 
alone. Although fending off the pro-China panelists, Wu was disappointed. This is what he said,
“… not what we desire, but, we can accept it…”meaning he rather see “Taiwan”as Taiwan, not 
“Issued in Taiwan.”

The intent is to clarify that the passport holder is from Taiwan, aside from the “Republic of 
China,”Which is confusing to most immigration officers. However,“Issued in Taiwan”does not 
serve this purpose. On the contrary, it implies another possibility of Republic of China─” 
Issued in China.”

Republic of China , with the largest font remains on the cover.“Issued in Taiwan”in smaller 
font appears across at the bottom, as if serving as a footnote. A’Bian’s administration had 
taken opinion poll: 52.8％  for Taiwan on the passport, 22.4％ against. If he has the public 
behind him, why does he not take a bigger stride?Furthermore, it is not unconstitutional, because
Republic of China remains unchanged. Why such baby step? Even backward? Didn't KMT  use Taipei or
Taiwan, or different  versions  to avert China at numerous international occasions?

Why, suddenly such a fuss?