Federal Agencies Must Drop 'Chinese Taipei' for 'Taiwan' Within 14 Days Under New Act

This new legislation, the “America Supports Taiwan Act,” is pretty straightforward in its immediate effect: it tells the entire U.S. federal government to change the name it uses when talking about Taiwan. Essentially, the bill mandates that all federal agencies must stop using the term “Chinese Taipei” and replace it with simply “Taiwan” in nearly all official documents and communications. This isn’t just a suggestion; it’s a required procedural shift that agencies must implement quickly, with a 14-day deadline to update their public-facing websites.

The Name Change Mandate: Why 'Taiwan' Now?

Congress is laying out its cards here, stating that the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is getting more aggressive—citing a huge jump in military aircraft crossings near Taiwan and noting the PRC’s goal to be ready for an invasion by 2027. This bill is a direct response, aiming to strengthen the U.S. commitment under the Taiwan Relations Act to ensure Taiwan can defend itself. The name change itself is a key part of this strategy. Congress argues that “Chinese Taipei” often carries connotations of PRC ownership, which many in Taiwan see as oppressive. By requiring agencies to use “Taiwan,” the U.S. government is making a clear symbolic statement about its diplomatic preference and support for the island’s autonomy.

What This Means for the Bureaucracy

For the average federal employee, this is a clear directive: update your templates, presentations, and official reports. For the agency leaders, it’s a sprint. Section 3 mandates that within 14 days of the bill becoming law, every agency head must ensure their public website reflects this new naming convention. Think about how many pages the State Department or the Department of Commerce has that mention Taiwan—that’s a lot of digital scrubbing in a tight window. While the change is relatively minor in substance, the rapid compliance requirement could create a small administrative headache for agency staff who now have a two-week deadline to review and update all relevant digital assets.

The Fine Print: Exceptions to the Rule

There are only two exceptions where an agency can still use “Chinese Taipei.” First, if they are discussing the historical context of how the PRC has tried to pressure or persuade Taiwan—basically, if they’re talking about the history of the dispute, the old term is allowed. Second, if an agency is working with an international organization where Taiwan participates under a specific, established name like “Chinese Taipei” (think some global sports or trade bodies), the agency can use that name for consistency in that specific setting. This keeps the U.S. from tripping over diplomatic rules in international forums, while still maintaining the new standard everywhere else.