ADVERTISEMENT

OT: LLWS: Anyone know why Chinese Taipei is not called Taiwan?

Class of 67

Well-Known Member
Jan 30, 2007
11,773
1,072
1
I'm guessing it's some State Dept mandated PC nod to communist China. I recall the team being called Taiwan years ago when it made the run in several consecutive years.
 
It's not State Department mandated. "Chinese Taipei" came out of discussions in the 1970s within the International Olympics Committee (IOC), with the goal of bringing about the participation of the PRC in the Olympics.

The PRC participated in no OIympics between the 1952 Summer Olympics and the 1980 Winter Olympics. They did participate in the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow.

It wasn't popular with Taiwan --- they boycotted those 1980 Summer Olympics to protest the IOC's pushing through the naming convention. Their boycott was a completely separate affair from our own boycott of those games.

Chinese Taipei is used beyond the Little League World Series --- it is used in the Olympics and by FIFA as well. Also the World Baseball Classic.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Ten Thousan Marbles
Chinese Taipei is also used at the WorldSkills Competition (trade skills) because of pressure from the PRC, who insisted on "Chinese Taipei" rather than "Taiwan" as a condition for PRC's joining the WorldSkills organization.
 
It's not State Department mandated. "Chinese Taipei" came out of discussions in the 1970s within the International Olympics Committee (IOC), with the goal of bringing about the participation of the PRC in the Olympics.

The PRC participated in no OIympics between the 1952 Summer Olympics and the 1980 Winter Olympics.

It wasn't popular with Taiwan --- they boycotted the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow (the PRC did participate in those Olympics) to protest the IOC's pushing through the naming convention.

Chinese Taipei is used beyond the Little League World Series --- it is used in the Olympics and by FIFA as well.


Nothing like 1 nation deciding the name of another nation through political (and other) pressure. Maybe the U.S. should insist that Mexico or Canada change their names. ;)
 
  • Like
Reactions: ILLINOISLION
Nothing like 1 nation deciding the name of another nation through political (and other) pressure. Maybe the U.S. should insist that Mexico or Canada change their names. ;)

Don't give future-President (God forbid!) Donald Trump any ideas. :)
 
Nothing like 1 nation deciding the name of another nation through political (and other) pressure. Maybe the U.S. should insist that Mexico or Canada change their names. ;)

Well, Greece objects that one of the countries formed from the former Yugoslavia calls itself the Republic of Macedonia, apparently infringing on the history of Ancient Macedon as well as the sensibilities of Northern Greece. Memories are long there, and so are the grudges.
 
Well, Greece objects that one of the countries formed from the former Yugoslavia calls itself the Republic of Macedonia, apparently infringing on the history of Ancient Macedon as well as the sensibilities of Northern Greece. Memories are long there, and so are the grudges.


True but they still are called Macedonia (republic of) despite the Greek objection. Not sure why China got the veto power. ;)
 
Don't give future-President (God forbid!) Donald Trump any ideas. :)


He could change Canada's name to Trumpland......Trumponia.....take your pick. At least it wouldn't be Hillary something. ;)
 
Last edited:
Well, Greece objects that one of the countries formed from the former Yugoslavia calls itself the Republic of Macedonia, apparently infringing on the history of Ancient Macedon as well as the sensibilities of Northern Greece. Memories are long there, and so are the grudges.

That's a good example too.

I forgot about this --- but Macedonia at one time (1999) politically recognized Taiwan. It was all rather bizarre, a land-locked Balkan country with no obvious ties to Taiwan deciding to get involved in that situation. They became only the second ever European country (besides the Vatican) to politically recognize Taiwan.

Of course the PRC got angry and Macedonia then cut ties in 2001. But I read a few articles back then that Macedonia's motivation was partially to "have a brother in arms" as regards naming controversies.

Strange world sometimes.
 
Taipei in Chinese means North of Taiwan. Taipei City is situated in the northern tip of the country and is the capitol of Taiwan, and is referred to as the capitol city of the country Taiwan. I have been there about 40 times working.
 
ADVERTISEMENT