Taiwan’s Tourism Bureau says that it decided to withdraw from an international trade show held in September after its Chinese organizers insisted that it take part under a different name.
The annual show is held under the auspices of the Pacific Asia Travel Association, of which Taiwan is a founding member.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s show took place virtually, but it was still sponsored and organized by a tourism board based in China’s Sichuan Province. The event took place between September 23 and September 27.
The Tourism Bureau had planned to take part in the event under the name “Taiwan Tourism Bureau” as it has in previous years. However, the organizers changed this designation to the “Taiwan Strait Tourism Association” without informing Tourism Bureau officials.
When attempts to get the name change reversed failed, the Tourism Bureau decided to pull out of the event. On Thursday, Cabinet Spokesperson Ting Yi-ming voiced the Cabinet’s support for the move, saying that national dignity is something that cannot be sacrificed.