Arab News Japan

TOKYO: To make ‘more identifiable’ passports, Taiwan decided to launch a newly designed passport with the word “Taiwan” printed in larger lettering and placed in a more prominent position that draws a clearer distinction between Taiwan and China, the foreign ministry in Taipei announced Thursday.

Passports with the new cover design will be issued starting from Jan. 11, and old passports can still be used until their expiration dateِ, Taiwan’s central news agency reported. 

“The formal designation of which is the Republic of China, is sometimes confused as the People’s Republic of China by some people, so the newly designed cover significantly reduces the size of the words “Republic of China” and re-positions them inside a thin outer circle that surrounds the national emblem.” On the other hand, the word “Taiwan” is magnified and printed in a bold font, based on the sample passport.

The ministry said it has instructed Taiwan’s embassies and representative offices abroad to notify the International Air Transport Association (IATA), different airline companies and relevant government agencies in their host countries of the changes to the passport cover.

Observers expect this issue to add more tension to the relations with China that might consider it a step forward  independence. China considers Taiwan part of its territories.