TAIPEI (TVBS News) — An opposition legislator canceled her participation in a United Nations-related event Thursday (Sept. 11) to protest the government's stance on Taiwan's representation. The controversy erupted a day earlier as the U.N. General Assembly commenced. Deputy Foreign Minister Baushuan Ger (葛葆萱) stated the government seeks participation under "Republic of China" (中華民國) but wouldn't rule out using Taiwan as an alternative, drawing criticism from Kuomintang (KMT, 國民黨), Taiwan's main opposition party, legislator Hsu Chiao-hsin (徐巧芯).
Hsu expressed her dissent by canceling her planned attendance at the United Nations project launch ceremony in New York Thursday (Sept. 11). The legislator emphasized on Facebook that as a supporter of the Republic of China, she cannot accept the government's flexible approach to naming. She insisted the country's official name should remain the Republic of China and highlighted the KMT caucus' clear stance on U.N. Resolution 2758, which they forwarded for a second reading last September.
Hsu noted that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA, 外交部), Taiwan's foreign ministry, interprets the resolution differently from the KMT's position, prompting her symbolic protest through cancellation. She stressed that the Republic of China is a sovereign and independent country that should participate in more international organizations. The legislator emphasized her opposition to any form of Taiwan independence while advocating for the Republic of China's broader international engagement. ◼
