The Taiwan authorities' decision to add "Taiwan" to the cover of
local passports has drawn criticism from both the mainland and
Taiwan.
Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian said yesterday that he had given the
go-ahead to do so, and the practice was described by Beijing's
Taiwan Affairs Office as "inching towards Taiwan independence."
Chen said the move was necessary to distinguish the island in the
international community and offer convenience to Taiwan
residents.
A
spokesman of the Taiwan Affairs Office said yesterday this was only
an "excuse," as the main purpose was to "realize the concept of
Taiwan independence" and it is worth "paying attention to the move"
in the future.
Taiwan's "lawmaker" Fung Hu-hsiang, who is from the island's New
Party, said that the Taiwan authorities' practice is "walking
towards Taiwan independence," Xinhua reported yesterday.
Cao Yuanzhang, who is from the People First Party of Taiwan, said
it is the new move taken by Taiwan authorities to implement the
policy of "Taiwan independence" and split the country step by
step.
"Foreign ministry" spokesman of Taiwan Chang Siao-yue said
yesterday that details of the passport alteration had not yet been
fixed.
Chen Shui-bian, from the pro-independence Democratic Progressive
Party, grabbed power after defeating the Kuomintang party in the
election in 2000.
(China
Daily January 14, 2002)