To the Editor:
I am writing to bring your attention to fallacious content in the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study statistics appearing in two charts accompanying your In Perspective articles 鈥淪lovenia Sharpens Academic Prowess鈥� and 鈥淥ut-of-School Classes Provide Edge鈥� (April 22, 2009). The International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement, which conducts the TIMSS exam, refers to my country, the Republic of China (Taiwan), as 鈥淐hinese Taipei.鈥� This usage is a misnomer and offensive to the people of Taiwan.
As you may know, the Republic of China, or ROC, was founded in 1912, while the People鈥檚 Republic of China, or PRC, was established in 1949, after the ROC government relocated to Taiwan. Since then, the two sides of the Taiwan Strait have been governed separately, with neither side exercising any form of jurisdiction over the other. I therefore request that all further references to my country in your paper use the proper designation of 鈥淩epublic of China (Taiwan)鈥� or simply 鈥淭aiwan.鈥�
My office, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York, functions as the de facto consulate general for Taiwan, and as such represents the interests of the government of Taiwan.
Ethan C.Y. Kuo
Director, Cultural Division
Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York
New York, N.Y.
