In Taiwan state companies to drop the name China

Taipei (AsiaNews/Agencies) – A few days from parliamentary elections scheduled for December 11, Taiwan keeps provoking mainland China. President Chen Shui-bian announced yesterday that within two years the words China, Republic of China and Taipei would be replaced by Taiwan in the titles of government-run companies and overseas offices.

Many observers see the move by Taiwan's President as a way to win votes away from the Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU), a more independence-oriented informal ally of the President's own Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

Rival political camps yesterday mobilised about 200,000 supporters who took to the streets of Taipei.

At a press conference, President Chen said that the changes were necessary to "avoid confusion in the world over the term 'China'" and contain the influence of Kuomintang (KMT), which still subscribes to the idea of a single China.

The President also said that he would not change the official name without the consent of the population.

Currently, Taiwan's official name is the 'Republic of China' or ROC, which it uses in countries with which it entertains diplomatic relations. It also uses 'Taipei Economic and Cultural Office' in countries with which it has no formal ties.

Both the KMT and Beijing are convinced that the recent step is one in "a series of creeping moves aimed at gradually turning the ROC into a Taiwanese republic"

Worsening relations between China and Taiwan are worrying the international community over a possible war in the Taiwan Strait. Wang Zaixi, deputy-minister of the mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office, stated that "should the island press for independence, armed conflict will be inevitable".

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