The Olympic Games are not only an international sports event but also a stage for global diplomacy and identity. 

For Taiwan, which is trying to engage in greater international participation, the use of “Chinese Taipei” as its name during Olympic competitions has always been a point of contention — a reminder of the country’s convoluted political history and its relations with China. 

We must recognize that the term “Chinese Taipei” not only fails to accurately represent the current status of Taiwan and its people’s identity but also perpetuates ambiguity over Taiwan’s sovereignty. It thereby undermines its dignity and efforts for international recognition.

This contentious name “Chinese Taipei” evolved out of the power struggle between the Republic of China (ROC) and the People’s Republic of China (PRC), both desiring to represent China internationally. Following the Chinese Civil War, the ROC fled to Taiwan, and the PRC ruled China. 

Both claimed to be the legitimate government of all China. The ROC, under the control of Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek (蔣介石), insisted on being recognized as the sole representative of China. Any designation that would associate Taiwan with not being part of China was rejected. 

‘Formosa’ or ‘Taiwan’?

Hence, in 1958, when the suggestion of names like “Taiwan” or “Formosa” was made by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the ROC refused, viewing it as relinquishing its claim over China.

Why, from 1960 to 1968, was it “Formosa” or “Taiwan” that represented the ROC at the Olympics? Still, the ROC government did not accept “Taiwan.” Rather, the IOC allowed the ROC to reapply as the “Republic of China Olympic Committee” on condition the team competed under “Formosa” or “Taiwan.” 

Since the National Olympic Committee's (NOC) membership name and the national team’s competing name were different, there was a compromise opportunity that created the precedent for the names “Formosa” or “Taiwan” to be used. 

In 1971, the global political situation changed dramatically. With the replacement of the ROC by the PRC in the United Nations, the PRC began to replace the ROC in many international sports events, leading to the ROC’s loss of its memberships. 

In 1979, the IOC voted to recognize both the Beijing and Taipei Olympic committees but renamed Beijing’s committee the “Chinese Olympic Committee,” allowing the use of the PRC’s flag and anthem, while the ROC’s committee became the “Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee,” unable to use its previous flag and anthem.

In response, the ROC government filed a suit against the IOC in Lausanne, Switzerland. Eventually, in 1981, the Lausanne Agreement was signed, partially alleviating this dispute. According to the agreement, Taiwanese athletes would participate under the “Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee” and under the name “Chinese Taipei” at the Olympics and other international sports events.

Name change

The name “Chinese Taipei” symbolizes changes in international politics at that time and reflects the insistence of the former ROC government choosing "Chinese Taipei” over “Formosa” or “Taiwan.” However, is this name still suitable for the democratized Taiwan of today?

In recent years, with Taiwan's evolving identity, there have been increasing calls to change the name under which athletes compete through a referendum, such as the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Name Rectification Referendum (東奧正名公投). 

Many Taiwanese feel that “Chinese Taipei” is a relic that no longer reflects their current identity. However, these efforts have met strong opposition from Beijing, which sees any move to affirm Taiwanese sovereignty as unacceptable.

Ironically, “Chinese Taipei” itself is not accepted within China either. China’s domestic media instead uses “Zhongguo Taiwan” (中国台湾), meaning “Taiwan, China,” in its broadcasts to further perpetuate the illusion that Taiwan is part of China. 

In other words, while the world believes “Chinese Taipei” is a compromise that allows Taiwan to participate in global events without openly challenging Beijing’s “one-China principle,” it has ended up becoming a convenient propaganda tool for China. 

More than nomenclature

The term “Chinese Taipei” carries political weight and no longer accurately reflects the current status of Taiwan or the identity of its people. It further sustains ambiguity over Taiwan’s sovereignty and damages Taiwan’s efforts to find a place in the international arena. 

Organizations like the Formosan Association for Public Affairs have urged the IOC to “no longer succumb to China’s pressure and bullying against Taiwan.” It also asks for the international community to “support democracy and freedom by opposing China’s attempts to undermine Taiwan’s sovereignty and independent statehood through the imposition of the name 'Chinese Taipei.’”

The issue of Taiwan’s Olympic designation is much more than one of nomenclature, it involves dignity, identity, and self-determination. As the world continues to evolve, so too should the names and symbols that represent nations on the global stage. 

The IOC should reconsider the “Chinese Taipei” designation and allow Taiwan to compete under a name genuinely reflecting its people and their aspirations.