Taiwan Renamed 'Chinese Taipei' at Tokyo Choir Event After Protest
At the recently concluded Tokyo International Choir Competition, it was revealed on July 30 that the Taiwanese choir's name had been changed from "Taiwan" to "Chinese Taipei." A Chinese choir participating in the event requested the change. This prompted organizers to rename the group.
It also raised concerns about the display of the Taiwanese flag, leading organizers to cancel all national flag displays.
Caught in a difficult position, the organizers sought to balance respect for Taiwan's identity.
At the same time, they aimed to maintain a fair and inclusive environment where choirs from around the world could focus on sharing the results of their dedication and hard work.
The competition lasted three days, beginning July 25 at Dai-ichi Seimei Hall in Tokyo. Choirs that passed the preliminary selection took part from a diverse range of countries. These included Japan, China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, South Korea, Spain, Greece, Thailand, and the Philippines. Organized by the Tokyo International Choir Organization, this year marked the event's seventh edition.
On the first day, July 25, national flags representing all participating countries were displayed at the venue. The Taiwanese choir was introduced under the name "Taiwan." President Lai Ching-te of Taiwan delivers an address with the Taiwanese flag in the background — July 1, at the Presidential Office in Taipei. (©Sankei by Yoshiaki Nishimi)
However, on the second day, several Chinese choirs raised objections to both the display of the Taiwanese flag and the use of the name "Taiwan." They reportedly told the organizers, "If footage of us performing in such an environment circulates in mainland China, it will become a serious issue." They then demanded corrective action.
Some of the Chinese groups included children's choirs. This raised concerns that the children might face backlash upon returning to China.
Many people in Taiwan see the use of both the Taiwanese flag and the name "Taiwan" as fundamental rights. In response to the objections from the Chinese side, the organizers explained, "No one can be prevented from identifying their own country or region as they choose."
Similar protests from Chinese choirs have reportedly occurred in previous years. However, this time the pressure was particularly strong, with some Chinese participants even suggesting they might withdraw. A representative of the Tokyo International Choir Organization recalled being told, "If the environment isn't adjusted, we have no choice but to pull out."
Organizers considered several options regarding the display of national flags. These included restricting both the Chinese and Taiwanese delegations from bringing flags into the venue. In the end, they opted to prohibit all participating teams from displaying national flags.
Although the Taiwanese side ultimately accepted the use of "Chinese Taipei," Taiwan's de facto embassy in Japan, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office, voiced strong criticism. On July 27, the office issued a statement condemning China for "using malicious political tactics to interfere in the event, politicize music, and hurt the feelings of the Taiwanese people." It also filed a formal protest with the organizers.
In comments to The Sankei Shimbun , the office stated, "The Chinese side demanded that our national flag be removed from the venue and that our entry name be changed from 'Taiwan' to 'Chinese Taipei.'"
Even so, a representative of the Tokyo International Choir Organization stressed that the organizers had made every effort to respond fairly to both sides. "We did not want to do anything that would strip the Taiwanese participants of their dignity or their right to identify as 'Taiwan,'" the representative said. They also expressed a broader hope: "Please don't use the field of art as a political tool."
On the final day of the competition, July 27, the organizers presented the Taiwanese choir with two versions of the award certificate. One used the label "Chinese Taipei," while the other, reportedly issued without prior notice, bore the name "Taiwan."
Author: Shimpei Okuhara, The Sankei Shimbun
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