The "Chinese Taipei" Conundrum

Hard to believe it's already been two years (more or less) since the Summer Olympics. Of course, when talking about Taiwan in the Olympics, the topic of "Chinese Taipei" always comes out. This time around, whether it be because Taiwan only has one athlete participating this year, or because it's not in China's home-turf (Beijing Summer 08 Olympics), but it hasn't received much press and "noise" as in 2008.

Regardless, a few smaller media news outlets have covered it - once again reminding us that despite the claims that the Olympics are a non-political event, it inevitably is because of China.

Chinese Taipei, what Americans call Taiwan, marched out into BC Place to the cheers of some 60,000 Olympic fans during the 2010 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremonies Parade of Nations on NBC Friday night. The name Chinese Taipei has a very convoluted history that has to do with its long, historical conflict the People's Republic of China and its relationship to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), according to Wikipedia.

I found a couple other articles that show quite the stark differences in reporting on Taiwan. This is the issue that is constantly being brought up in regards to Taiwan. Within Taiwan, there will always be "blue" and "green" biased news, and on the international stage, "China" and "Taiwan" biased news. Although, I will have to make the argument for being one being propaganda, and the other being real news. Take the following two articles for example, both reporting on similar things, but with a very contrasting tone:

This one with a China-slant:

The controversy has ever been there after the 1971 loss of seats by Republic Of China (ROC). The name Taiwan has been rejected by the Republic Of China as its participating name as it feels that people of both the parts of divided China are Chinese and no one is less Chinese than the other.

This one with a Taiwan-centric tone:

Chinese believe to be the rulers of Taiwan which they call as Chinese Taipei while Taiwan, on the other hand, is fighting for freedom. They want to be known as Taiwan instead of Chinese Taipei.

The above clearly shows why we need to be able to question and evaluate statements in the media independently, and not take things at face value. The first tells the world that Taiwan (grouping all Taiwanese together) believes that they are also Chinese. This is clearly untrue, as polls after polls starting from when A-bian came into office in 2000, show a continual growing trend in the people in Taiwan identifying themselves as being Taiwanese. By the way, this is one of the accomplishments that A-bian is often overlooked for - that is organizing and driving the Taiwan-centric mindset not only in Taiwan, but outside of Taiwan as well.

The second article gets it right: We want to be known as Taiwan, not Chinese Taipei. But, it ain't about politics right?!