First of all, Washington is not amused. U.S. State Department Spokesman Sean McCormack has stated bluntly that “the United States does not support changes in terminology for entities administered by Taiwan authorities.” Perhaps more seriously, he warned that “President Chen’s fulfillment of his commitments will be a test of leadership, dependability and statesmanship, as well as his ability to protect Taiwan’s interests, its relations with others, and to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.”

These are harsh words. The name change, while giving Taiwan a separate identity, is in fact admitting that Taiwan is a part of China, a claim by the Beijing regime from the beginning. The folly of Chen’s re-naming is also vigorously protested by employees of the state-owned enterprises, who took to the streets to vent their anger.

Precious time has been squandered in implementing the administration’s agenda of de-sinicization, trying to cut Taiwan’s umbilical cord with the Chinese mainland. One cannot but wonder whether the move did any good for Taiwan.

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