The uproar for the name rectification of Taiwan has been the tool of the island's pro-independence forces again and again in their attempt to separate Taiwan from the motherland and create an independent state.

Last Saturday pro-independence forces on the island, with the support of the Taiwan authorities, took to the street for a name rectification campaign, pushing to change the island's official name from the "Republic of China" to "Taiwan."

Taiwan "president" Chen Shui-bian rendered his backing to the demonstration although he did not take part in it. He said he would join the rally himself if he were not the "president."

Former "president" Lee Teng-hui, who has flagrantly championed independence, expressed his firm support for the island's name change campaign by joining the street rally.

Lee, unwilling to lead a quiet life since relinquishing power, has remained the largest trumpeter and supporter of the campaign, which goes against the mainstream wishes of the people across the Taiwan Straits.

Taiwan's name rectification campaign is by no means purely about a name change.

It essentially serves as an important step for Taiwan's independence forces towards realizing their goal. It has also become an important tactic used by Taiwan's pro-independence diehards to pursue the "incremental independence of Taiwan."

In the eyes of the independence forces, the title "Republic of China" gives people the impression of some links between Taiwan and China, and has become a major obstacle for the island to gain independent state status in the international community.

The Taiwan island has been an integral part of China since ancient times.

Any effort to push for the name change of the island can by no means change such an indisputable fact.

Taiwan will always be the Taiwan that belongs to China, no matter what it is called.

(China Daily September 9, 2003)