January 1, 2022 Taiwan: Terminology & Language Bias

What Does Using the Term *Mainland China* Imply for Taiwan?

The term “Mainland China” tacitly implies that Taiwan is part of Chinese territory. Analysts and journalists frequently use the term “mainland” to refer to the PRC. The term appears in most writings about Taiwan, China, and cross-Strait relations. A search yields the following definition: Mainland: A large continuous extent of land that includes the greater […]

January 1, 2022 Taiwan: Useful Facts & Resources

What Are Some Good Information Sources on Taiwan?

The United States and Taiwan enjoy a robust unofficial relationship. Maintaining strong relations with Taiwan is a major U.S. goal, in line with the U.S. desire to further peace and stability in Asia. The relationship between the U.S. and Taiwan is governed by the Taiwan Relations Act (Public Law 96-8), which was signed into effect […]

January 1, 2022 Taiwan: Useful Facts & Resources

How to Locate Taiwan Trade Data?

Both the United States and Taiwan maintain detailed trade data, showing our substantive economic ties. Taiwan is a top trading partner for the U.S., while the U.S. ranks among Taiwan’s top three trading partners. In the United States, the U.S. Census Bureau maintains updated statistics on U.S. trade in goods by country. Their trade data […]

January 1, 2022 Taiwan: Terminology & Language Bias

Will Taiwan Reunify with China?

Should Taiwan and China join together in the future, they would unify. By definition, they can never reunify. The term reunify is problematic, because it falsely implies that Taiwan and China were once a single entity that then split. This is incorrect. The Republic of China (Taiwan) has never been a part of the People’s […]

January 1, 2022 Taiwan: Useful Facts & Resources

How to Find Taiwan Defense, Military and National Security Information?

The Taiwan President serves as the Commander-in-Chief that leads the Taiwan armed forces. The President also chairs the National Security Council, which decides national defense guidelines relevant to national security. The Executive Yuan formulates defense policy and supervises defense affairs handled by all government agencies, while the Ministry of National Defense (MND) administers national defense […]

January 1, 2022 Taiwan: Major Misconceptions

The Taiwan Strait is International Waters

The U.S. considers the Taiwan Strait to be international waters, not Chinese territory. The island of Taiwan is located approximately 100 miles off the east coast of China, across a body of water called the Taiwan Strait.* The Taiwan Strait is part of the South China Sea, and China has claimed the area as its […]

January 1, 2022 Taiwan: Terminology & Language Bias

Is Taiwan a Renegade Province?

Taiwan is not, and has never been, a province of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Referring to Taiwan as a “renegade province” or “breakaway province” insinuates that Taiwan is a province of China that suddenly decided to rebel and leave. This is incorrect. Taiwan was governed from China for a brief period (1887- 1895), […]

January 1, 2022 Taiwan: Terminology & Language Bias

Why Do Articles About Taiwan Use So Many Scare Quotes?

Scare quotes — aka sneer quotes or quibble marks — are quotation marks surrounding words of phrases to indicate non-standard word usage. Writers use the marks to signpost irony, doubt, skepticism, or disagreement. They allow writers to express distance between the word or phrase and the author of the text. Chinese media use scare quotes […]

January 1, 2022 Taiwan: Terminology & Language Bias

Why is the Taiwan President called Leader or Ruler?

Articles sometimes refer to the President as just the “leader” or “ruler” of Taiwan, rather than using their correct title. This minimizes the President’s role, and essentially demotes them to a provincial leader or regional administrator instead of a head of state. Chinese journalists are expressly prohibited from using “President (or Vice President) of the […]