Federal Agencies Mandated to Use 'Taiwan', Ditching 'Chinese Taipei', Within 14 Days

The "America Supports Taiwan Act" directs U.S. federal agencies to officially use the term "Taiwan" instead of "Chinese Taipei" in their communications and materials. This isn't just a suggestion; agencies must update their websites to reflect this change within 14 days of the Act becoming effective. The bill explicitly states its purpose is to reinforce the U.S. position regarding Taiwan, particularly in light of increasing pressure and military activity from the People's Republic of China (PRC).

Beyond Semantics: A Deliberate Policy Signal

So, why the focus on a name? The bill lays out Congress's view that the term "Chinese Taipei" – often used in international forums – can imply PRC ownership, something the bill notes many in Taiwan see as oppressive. By mandating the use of "Taiwan," the U.S. government is drawing a clearer line, aligning its official language with its long-standing policy under the Taiwan Relations Act: supporting Taiwan's ability to resist coercion. The legislation points directly to recent actions like repeated PRC aircraft crossings over the Taiwan Strait's median line (over 1,400 reported in 2024, according to the bill's findings) and a sharp rise in military flights into Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone (from approx. 390 in 2020 to 3,075 in 2024) as context for this shift. However, the bill allows exceptions, such as discussing history related to China's control attempts or when dealing with international bodies where Taiwan itself uses a different official name.

Making it Official: Agency Compliance Required

This isn't just about high-level diplomatic statements; it's a practical directive for the bureaucracy. The requirement applies broadly to federal "agencies" as defined in section 551 of title 5, United States Code, meaning entities across the executive branch need to comb through their official language. The tight 14-day deadline for website updates signals an intent for swift implementation. This move essentially codifies a preference ("disfavors the use of 'Chinese Taipei,'" as stated in the findings) into a binding rule for how the U.S. government refers to the island democracy in most official contexts, reflecting the commitments outlined in the Taiwan Relations Act also mentioned in the bill.