Members of Congress Urge Hotel Chains to Drop the Term “Taiwan, China”
On May 21, U.S. Representative John Moolenaar (R-MI) and U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) sent a letter to the CEOs of three major hotel chains — Hilton, Marriott, and Hyatt — urging them to stop using the term “Taiwan, China” on their websites and in promotional materials.
The lawmakers argued that the term “Taiwan, China” could be interpreted as “implicitly recognizing Taiwan as part of the People’s Republic of China (PRC),” which “stands in stark contrast” to the position of the U.S. government.
They emphasized that such labeling lends “false credence to the PRC’s position of authority and sovereignty over Taiwan” and is “detrimental” to Taiwan, “a thriving democracy and one of America’s top trading partners.”
They also highlighted that in October 2024, the U.S. Departments of State, Agriculture, and Commerce jointly sent a letter to major Fortune 500 companies, urging them to refer to Taiwan as “Taiwan.”
“Other major U.S. companies with an international presence correctly identify Taiwan as an entity separate from that of China, and we urge your companies to follow suit,” Moolenaar and Blackburn wrote. They also requested that the hotel chains disclose when they began using the term “Taiwan, China” and whether the decision was influenced by the PRC or affiliated entities.
The Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA) has long championed name rectification, urging U.S. companies, government agencies, and organizations to refer to Taiwan accurately and simply as “Taiwan,” not as part of China or a Chinese province.
Over the years, FAPA has successfully persuaded various U.S. institutions — including Amtrak (2005), the U.S. Postal Service (2006), the Department of Homeland Security (2012), and Costco (2016) — to correct misleading references and accurately designate Taiwan in their official documents and online systems.
We are grateful for the leadership of Representative Moolenaar and Senator Blackburn, as well as the work of the House Select Committee on the CCP, in urging Hilton, Marriott, and Hyatt to correct the misrepresentation of Taiwan as “Taiwan, China.”
Sources:
[1] House Select Committee on the CCP
[2] Focus Taiwan
[3] Taipei Times
FAPA Mourns the Passing of Congressman Gerald E. Connolly, Honoring His Legacy of Support for U.S.-Taiwan Relations
The Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA) is deeply saddened by the passing of U.S. Representative Gerald E. Connolly (D-VA), who died on the morning of May 21, 2025.
Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2009 until his passing, Congressman Connolly left a lasting impact on countless Taiwanese and American people, including the thousands of FAPA members across the country.
Throughout his distinguished career, Congressman Connolly was a steadfast advocate for Taiwan and its right to determine its own future, free from coercion by the People’s Republic of China (PRC). He played a pivotal role in deepening U.S.–Taiwan relations and advancing a more principled, proactive U.S. approach toward Taiwan.
His legislative record speaks for itself. During the current 119th Congress, he served as the lead sponsor or a key cosponsor of several major pro-Taiwan bills, including the Taiwan Assurance Implementation Act and the Taiwan International Solidarity Act — both of which passed the House earlier this month — as well as the Taiwan Allies Fund Act and House Resolution 148, which supports Taiwan’s international participation and rejects the PRC’s false claims of sovereignty over Taiwan.
FAPA National President Dr. Su-Mei Kao stated: “We deeply mourn the passing of Congressman Gerald Connolly, a steadfast and dedicated champion of Taiwan. As Co-Chair of the House Taiwan Caucus and a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, he played a key role in advancing bipartisan legislation to strengthen U.S.-Taiwan relations.”
Dr. Kao added, “His enduring dedication to democracy and human rights not only reinforced the United States’ commitment to Taiwan and strengthened the U.S.-Taiwan partnership, but also inspired countless advocates for Taiwan. His legacy will be forever remembered, and he will be deeply missed.”
Source:
[1] FAPA
U.S. Lawmakers Introduce Bills to Grant Taiwan “NATO Plus” Status and Support Its IMF Participation
On May 21, U.S. Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) and Representative Scott Perry (R-PA), joined by cosponsor Congressman Tom Tiffany (R-WI), introduced the Taiwan PLUS Act (S. 1824 & H.R. 3563), seeking to designate Taiwan as a “NATO Plus” partner of the United States, enhance U.S.–Taiwan defense cooperation, and streamline the U.S. arms sales process to Taiwan in order to deter growing aggression from China.
The bill proposes designating Taiwan as a “NATO Plus” partner, granting it the same privileges afforded to other trusted U.S. defense partners such as Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and Israel.
“The Taiwan PLUS Act will . . . make it faster and easier for Taiwan to purchase the weapons it needs from the U.S. to defend itself should Communist China invade,” said Senator Scott in a statement.
“This legislation streamlines our arms sales process to Taiwan, strengthens deterrence, and solidifies our commitment to defending American interests in the Indo-Pacific,” added Congressman Perry in a separate statement.
The statement also noted: “Taiwan already is one of the United States’ closest defense collaborators – the top Foreign Military Sales customer in FY20 [Fiscal Year 2020], and historically tied with Japan as the third largest buyer since 1950.”
Meanwhile, on May 22, Senators Dave McCormick (R-PA), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) introduced the Taiwan Non-Discrimination Act (S. 1900), which aims to support Taiwan’s participation in the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
This bill serves as the Senate companion to H.R. 910, which was introduced by Representatives Young Kim (R-CA) and Al Green (D-TX) and passed the House Financial Services Committee on March 5.
“Taiwan is one of our largest trading partners and a key exporter of advanced technology that powers devices Americans use each and every day,” Senator McCormick said in a statement. “This is an economic partnership that benefits the United States, and the Chinese Communist Party should never have a de facto veto over Taiwan’s participation in international commerce.”
“Taiwan – the 21st largest economy in the world and producer of 90 percent of the world’s advanced semiconductor chip supply – doesn’t just deserve a seat at the table at the IMF. The free world needs Taiwan at the IMF,” said Congresswoman Kim.
“We cannot be complicit as international organizations kowtow to Beijing and silence Taiwan’s voice, which is why I am grateful to Senator McCormick for introducing the Taiwan Non-Discrimination Act in the Senate. I look forward to working in lockstep to get this to President Trump’s desk as soon as possible,” she added.
