Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party headed by beleaguered President Chen Shui-bian, however, favors a stronger Taiwanese identity. On February 12, Chunghwa [China] Post, the island's postal service, became Taiwan Post Co., a move the government said was necessary to distinguish it from the mainland's China Post.
"Taiwan" is also expected to appear on the island's stamps, many of which will land in Chinese mailboxes, given the strong commercial and familial ties between the political adversaries. Other name changes include Taiwan's state-run airlines, shipbuilding, petroleum, telecommunications and steel companies.
The name-change initiative is only the latest in a series of moves by the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party that has irked China.
The president, battered by a financial scandal and low approval ratings, hopes to use the issue to rally party support among pro-independence voters in advance of the 2008 presidential election, analysts said. (Source: Mark Magnier and Tsai Ting-I, Los Angeles Times, Feb 15, 2007).