Taiwan’s new passport design is fresh out of the oven. On the cover, the Chinese words for the “Republic of China” have shrunk to make space for the obviously enlarged English letters spelling out “Taiwan” that has become the center of focus. Meanwhile, the English words for the “Republic of China” have moved to encircle the national emblem at the center of the passport. The English words “Republic of China” are now so small under the new clever design that you would think it is a Snellen chart for your eye examination or a game of “Where’s Waldo?”

The country’s passport was redesigned to create a clearer distinction between Taiwan and China. Because of the words “Republic of China” on the old design, Taiwanese travelers have often been mistaken as citizens of mainland China. Furthermore, as masks and other pandemic relief donations from Taiwan to other countries were delivered by China Airlines cargo flights, the gesture was erroneously believed to be made by China. The confusion has caused frustration and dissatisfaction for the Taiwanese people. For these reasons, in the absence of legislators from the opposition Kuomintang, Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan swiftly passed the resolutions on Jul. 22 by unanimous votes to revamp the Taiwanese passport and to rename or redesign Taiwan’s flagship airline, China Airlines, to give more prominence to Taiwan’s visibility and avoid being confused with China. In just 43 days, the government released the new version of the passport, demonstrating impressive efficiencies. A new coat of paint for the fuselage of China Airline’s cargos should also be completed very shortly.

In addition to enhancing the recognition of Taiwan, there is indisputably a deeper political connotation behind the launch of a new passport. The sensitivity of the cross-strait situation coupled with Taiwan’s domestic issues have led this project that involves national identity, unification and independence with underlying tacit meaning to be handled with extra caution. It is necessary to reflect the new political situation of the landslide victory of the Democratic Progressive Party in the presidential and legislative elections in 2020 and satisfy the people’s Taiwan identity. Also bearing in mind that the “Republic of China” is still the official name and the formal political framework of Taiwan, the government must maintain the basic unity and mutual respect of people with different political views. At the same time, it has to prevent Beijing from finding “evidence” of Taiwan’s independence.

Therefore, the new design can be regarded as bold but well-thought-out. Taiwan has become the true central character, giving the world a clearly distinguished new look and the Taiwanese people will understand the underlying meaning. The vaguely visible Republic of China takes minimizing the China-factor to another level. The four Chinese characters of the Republic of China are exclusively for those Taiwan nationals who still have feelings for the words. Although Beijing very much wants to eliminate the Republic of China, it does not allow Taiwan to remove the label. By doing so, it makes it difficult for Beijing to find fault.

A new version of the passport tells several stories at the same time, reflecting the reality of Taiwan and the Republic of China. Between the most basic requirements and necessary dignity of living, standing up, going out, and recognizing one’s own sense of personal identity and sense of glory, the people of Taiwan have no choice but to endure the compromise and seek a path that will ultimately break free from the restraints. Even though Taiwanese people may not be satisfied with the status quo under the compromise, people are still willing to respect and understand each other, separate goals and means, and distinguish what is more important and what comes first. This is the story about the Republic of China passport, as well as the evolution of Taiwan’s history.

In 1987, Chiang Ching-kuo said, “I am Taiwanese, I am also Chinese!” After the release of the new passport in 2020, Tsai Ing-Wen said that with the passport in hand, it is clear that “We are Taiwanese!” Both Chiang and Tsai expressed the ways the people of Taiwan have identified themselves in the past 30 years. For some people, it may have taken too long but the historical footprint and direction are very clear and the process is acceptable and worth cherishing.

Accordingly, as the new passport is a compromise between all parties while showing a breakthrough in the finished product, it is unnecessary for politicians who strive to validate their existence to add worthless details. For example, the Deputy Secretary-General of the Presidential Office, Lee Chun-yi, tried to follow the “creativity” of netizens and offered his explanation behind the “secret” of the new design of the Taiwan passport is based on the number of votes received in the presidential election, that is Taiwan has a larger font size due to more votes and the Republic of China is smaller due to fewer votes. This is an act that ignores his own official status and creates internal differences in Taiwan but in vain. Not only does it distort the meaning of the presidential election, but it is also puzzling whether the Taiwan passport will be revamped every four years thereafter to coincide with the party’s vote rate? Even if the Deputy Secretary-General of the Presidential Office lacks official duties, there is no need for the public to realize that he is bored to tears.

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