Taiwan unveils new-look passports to avoid ‘China confusion’
- Island changes name in English on documents to be introduced next year
- Foreign minister says changes in response to discrimination encountered by Taiwanese abroad
01:55
Taiwan unveils new passport design to avoid confusion with mainland China’s
The formal “Republic of China” title is also in a smaller font in English and in a different position.
Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu said Taiwanese nationals needed to be able to travel abroad without being mistaken for nationals from mainland China, and the changes could help avoid such confusion.
“This is to enhance the identification of Taiwan and to ensure the convenience for our nationals in travelling abroad,” Wu said in Taipei on Wednesday.
02:12
Taiwan unveils record defence budget as China stands firm on claim to island
Taiwan has been known officially as the “Republic of China” since the Kuomintang government forces fled the mainland for the island after losing a civil war.
Wu said the new cover design had been approved by the legislature and would be introduced from the start of next year.