The China Post
Date: July 1, 2016
By: Stephanie Chao
TAIPEI, Taiwan — President Tsai Ing-wen, responding to Kuomintang’s (KMT) criticism of
President Tsai Ing-wen left a signature reading “TSAI, ING-WEN 蔡英文, President of Taiwan (ROC),” along with a short missive congratulating Panama on their achievements during her visit to the expanded Panama Canal, in this photo taken from Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Lin Chun-hsien’s Facebook. (Photo captured from the internet/courtesy of the Presidential Office)
her signing “President of Taiwan” during her visit to the expanded Panama Canal, commented Wednesday that professing herself as such was valid since she was elected by 23 million people.
During her visit to the expanded Panama Canal, Tsai signed her name as “TSAI, ING-WEN 蔡英文, President of Taiwan (ROC).” She also wrote a short note congratulating Panama on its achievement.
A photograph of the signature went viral and brought ire from the KMT, who saw it as a “downsizing” of Taiwan’s official national title, “Republic of China.”
Back in Taiwan, KMT lawmakers went on to goad Tsai to “courageously” proclaim Taiwan’s independence if she wished to legitimize that claim.
Tsai penned her signature while meeting with her press delegation after a day of visiting agriculture and livestock centers, and projects established under a Taiwan-Paraguay cooperation program.
Tsai stressed that in official events, Taiwan is clearly referred to as the “Republic of China,” which is followed by “Taiwan.”
“Is it necessary to bring politics into this matter?” Tsai rhetorically asked press members. She added that such interpretations of her intentions should not continue, and that they cause “unnecessary disturbances.” [FULL STORY]
