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Taiwan passport row: Legislator Hsu Chiao-hsin clashes with media personality Huang Wei-han over 'Republic of China' text size | Src: Liberty Times (TW) | Desc: Legislator Hsu Chiao-hsin questioned the reduced size of "Republic of China" on the new passport cover, proposing to freeze funds for the Consular Affairs Bureau. Media personality Huang Wei-han argued that the new passport design clearly identifies Taiwan and does not remove "Republic of China." | Article text: The content is restricted and requires users to be over 18 to browse. According to Article 6, Paragraph 3 of the "Computer Network Content Rating Regulations," a notice has been posted on the homepage or each restricted webpage in accordance with the regulations of the Taiwan Internet Content Rating Promotion Foundation (TICRF). Taiwan Internet Content Rating Promotion Foundation (TICRF) website: http://www.ticrf.org.tw 2026/06/09 02:56 Breaking News/Comprehensive Report Veteran media personality Huang Wei-han. (File Photo) KMT legislator Hsu Chiao-hsin recently questioned the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' manipulation of ideology, claiming that the official English country name "Republic of China" on our passport cover has been minimized to the point of being unrecognizable, stating that this move is unhelpful to international status and travel convenience. Therefore, she proposed to freeze the general affairs expenses of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Consular Affairs Bureau and demanded the restoration of the original size of the English country name on the passport, sparking heated public debate. In response, veteran media personality Huang Wei-han directly stated that when taking out a passport to go abroad, it should be easily identifiable and avoid misunderstandings. Foreigners will know at a glance that this passport is from Taiwan, and the four characters "Republic of China" have not been deleted, and they are printed in both Chinese and English versions. "What are you not satisfied with?" On the 8th, Huang Wei-han spoke on the political talk show "The Great Election Mirror Speaks," discussing Hsu Chiao-hsin's intention to obstruct the redesigned passport. He said that the symbol of our national flag's "white sun" element on the passport cover has "Republic of China" placed in the outer border. The government clearly has not removed it, it has only become smaller, and "Taiwan" has been enlarged. "Why? Haven't you been abroad before? When you go abroad, (for example) when filling out an entry form in Japan, I write Country as Taiwan. Can you write ROC? Yes! ROC Taiwan. If you only write ROC, frankly, we only have 12 diplomatic allies in the world. Others will misunderstand. When others misunderstand, would you rather be misunderstood? Or be able to clearly identify?" Huang Wei-han reiterated that the redesigned passport has not deleted "Republic of China," and the cover also prominently displays the four large characters "Republic of China." "These four characters are so large, haven't you seen them? What are you not satisfied with? I am very satisfied!" Huang Wei-han also pointed out on the show that the second article of the KMT party charter states, "Based on 'Taiwan,' beneficial to the people." "The party charter already tells you not to be against Taiwan all day long. Even when we watch baseball, Chen Chieh-hsien makes a 'Team Taiwan' gesture, and you say 'There is no Team Taiwan.' Frankly, for those who love the Republic of China and also identify with Taiwan, seeing you say this, they will feel like you always refute when Taiwan is mentioned. Are we still on the same boat? You will be questioned!" No lottery, no搶. Now watch news with the APP, guaranteed to win the lottery every day. Click to download the APP. Click to see event rules. Related news. Today's top political news. See more! Please join the Liberty Times fan page. | Src: Liberty Times (TW) | Lang: zh | id: 01KTM9SVJT798KABETR3QX2P19

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Legislator Hsu Chiao-hsin questioned the reduced size of "Republic of China" on the new passport cover, proposing to freeze funds for the Consular Affairs Bureau.
  • Media personality Huang Wei-han argued that the new passport design clearly identifies Taiwan and does not remove "Republic of China."
  • Huang criticized Hsu's stance, suggesting it contradicts the KMT party charter's emphasis on Taiwan and alienates those who identify with both Taiwan and the ROC.

A debate has erupted in Taiwan over the design of the new passport, with legislator Hsu Chiao-hsin of the Kuomintang (KMT) party leading the charge against the perceived minimization of the official English name "Republic of China." Hsu argues that the drastically reduced font size makes the designation difficult to discern, potentially impacting Taiwan's international standing and travel convenience. She has proposed freezing funds for the Consular Affairs Bureau until the original font size is restored.

Veteran media commentator Huang Wei-han countered Hsu's claims on a political talk show, asserting that the new passport design effectively identifies Taiwan and does not omit the "Republic of China." Huang pointed out that the "Republic of China" text remains, albeit smaller, alongside a larger "Taiwan." He questioned Hsu's dissatisfaction, stating that the design allows foreigners to easily recognize the passport as Taiwanese and that the option to use "ROC Taiwan" is still available for clarity.

You haven't been abroad before?

— Huang Wei-hanHuang Wei-han questioned legislator Hsu Chiao-hsin's concerns about the passport design, suggesting she is unfamiliar with international travel.

Huang further criticized Hsu's position, suggesting it is out of touch with reality and potentially alienates voters. He highlighted that the KMT's own party charter emphasizes "Taiwan as the core," and that such a stance on the passport design seems contradictory. Huang argued that actions like questioning the "Team Taiwan" gesture at baseball games, as previously done by some KMT members, create division among those who embrace both Taiwanese identity and the ROC. He believes Hsu's focus on the passport's English text overlooks the prominent display of "中華民國" (Republic of China) in Chinese characters on the cover.

The 'Republic of China' four big characters are printed so largely, haven't you seen them? What are you not satisfied with? I am very satisfied!

— Huang Wei-hanHuang Wei-han emphasized the prominent Chinese characters for 'Republic of China' on the passport cover, expressing his satisfaction with the design.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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