Taiwanese American Organizations Join Ranks To Be Counted In The 2020 Census

On August 12, 2016, the joint Taiwanese American Organizations sent a letter to the National Advisory Committee of the Census Bureau to request the Census Bureau that a check off box for “Taiwanese” be added under the race question (question six) on the Census 2020 form.

FAPA, who initiated this joint letter, started this campaign for a separate check off box under the race question as early as 1997, i.e. prior to Census 2000. Then FAPA President Wen-yen Chen appeared as a witness at a Congressional hearing before the Subcommittee on the Census in 1998. FAPA was informed at the time by the Census Bureau that a 1997 State Department memorandum stipulated that the “listing of “Taiwanese” as a race in a Census questionnaire would inevitably raise sensitive political questions…contrary to the U.S. Government policy and U.S. national interest.”

However, since the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service already maintains a separate quota for Taiwanese coming to the United States, the Taiwanese American Organizations feel that there should be no reason for the Census Bureau to continue this policy based on international political concerns.

In the letter, the joint Taiwanese American Organizations wrote: “Taiwanese Americans all over the country have expressed their concern and frustration to us about not knowing how many Taiwanese Americans there actually are in the U.S. today.”

There are severe discrepancies between Federal Agencies when counting the Taiwanese American population. According to the 2010 Census, the population of Taiwanese Americans was 230,382. However, according to the 2014 Homeland Security data on Lawful Permanent Residents, the Taiwanese American population accumulated from 1950 to 2010 was 450,673.

In this letter, the Organizations added: “We are shocked that our Census, which is a purely domestic affair, would fall victim to international politics. No foreign country should dictate how our own Census Bureau counts its citizens. Taiwanese Americans today recognize that they are a separate ethnicity from Chinese Americans and we must honor and respect that. The Census Bureau can no longer ignore this.”

FAPA President Peter Chen reacts: “The current policy of the Census Bureau to exclude a Taiwanese check off box is solely a U.S. self-imposed restriction. We want and must have accurate data on how many Taiwanese Americans there are today. There should be no outside political influence preventing the United States to count us. We want to be counted!”

Taiwanese Association of America President, Ming-hung Chow states: “This is not fair! Many smaller minorities can have their own check-off box while the Taiwanese don’t. We, the Taiwanese, are not receiving the recognition we deserve in the international community, we should be rightfully recognized in America, the country we call home.”

十二個台美人團體聯名信要求將「台灣人」正式列入2020全美人口普查選項中

八月十二日12個台美人團體一同聯署致函給人口調查局的全國建議委員會，正式要求在2020的人口普查調查表中，第六題族群問題應加入「台灣人」的選項。

台灣人公共事務會（FAPA）發起這封團體聯名信。早在1997年，也就是2000年的人口普查前就開始推廣在人口調查表族群問題下加入「台灣人」的選項。當時的FAPA會長陳文彥在1998年曾受國會眾議院的人口委員會的聽證會邀請，以證人身份出席。但是FAPA後來被人口調查局告知，國務院已在在1997年的便籤中裁示，「在人口調查表上列出台灣人的選項，最終將引起敏感的政治問題…這與美國政府的政策及美國國家利益則是背道而馳的。」

但是在現階段，美國移民局已經為移民至美國的台灣人特別設置配額，所以台美團體則認為人口調查局也不應該有任何以國際政治考量的原因下來繼續這項政策。 在這封信中，台美人團體也表示：「散佈在美國各地的台美人已為他們無法知道美國目前有多少台美人感到無奈與受挫。

台美人的人口數據在聯邦政府的單位裡已經有很大的差別了。根據2010年的人口普查中台美人口分為230,328。但是根據國安局在合法永久居留者的數據裡，從1950年至2010年的台美人已高達450,673。

在這封信中，這些團體提到：「我們很驚訝我們的人口調查局，個純美國內政事務竟然會向國際政治屈服。我們的人口調查局如何計算我們人民則不應該由任何國家來決定。今天的台美人都認為他們與華裔美國人是不同的族群，而當然我們也應當給予尊重人口調查局則不能再繼續的忽略此事。

FAPA會長陳正義在信中寫到：「人口調查局目前在普查表上排除台灣人選項的政策，是一個自我設限的規定。我們需要有一個正確算出最正確台美人的數據。而不應該有外在的政而不應該有外在的政治因素來阻止美國來計算這項數據。台美人要求被列入選項和尊重! 」

全美同鄉會會長周明宏表示：「這是不公平的! 許多比台灣更小的族群都有自己的選項但是台美人卻沒有。我們在國際並沒有得到我們應得的承認，但在美國，一個我們稱為家的國家則更理所當然地要被承認。」

Ms. Ditas Katague                             August 12, 2016
Chair, National Advisory Committee
U.S. Census Bureau
4600 Silver Hill Road Washington, DC 20233

Dear Ms. Katague:

We, the joint Taiwanese American organizations, write to you today to formally request that the National Advisory Committee recommends to the U.S. Census Bureau that a separate check-off box for “Taiwanese” be added under the race question (question six) on the Census 2020 form. We are pleased that over the years the Census form has evolved from excluding outsiders to including multiracialism.

However, we Taiwanese Americans have not been included in the Census form thus far. Taiwanese Americans all over the country have expressed their concern and frustration to us about not knowing how many Taiwanese Americans there actually are in the U.S. today.

We campaign for a separate check-off box for “Taiwanese” because Taiwanese Americans want to be counted! We have been campaigning for this since the mid-nineties. But we have thus far not been successful.

Why not? Because the Census Bureau was told by our State Department in a 1997 memo that: “We believe that any listing of “Taiwanese” as a race in a Census questionnaire would inevitably raise sensitive political questions because it could be misinterpreted as official U.S. recognition of Taiwanese as a racial category chat is separate from Chinese. This would be contrary to U.S. Government policy and U.S. national interests.

Therefore, our position is that it would be inappropriate to list “Taiwanese” as a category of race separate from Chinese in the Census questionnaire.” We are shocked that our Census, which is a purely domestic affair, would fall victim to international politics. No foreign country should dictate how our own Census Bureau counts its citizens.

Taiwanese Americans today recognize that they are a separate ethnicity from Chinese Americans and we must honor and respect that. According to the 2010 Census, the population of Taiwanese Americans was 230,382k. However, according to our 2014 Homeland Security data on Lawful Permanent Residents, the Taiwanese American population accumulated from 1950 to 2010 was 450,673.

Clearly, there are severe discrepancies between Federal Agencies when counting the Taiwanese American population.  The Census Bureau can no longer ignore this. That is why we are requesting that the Census Bureau create a separate check off box for Taiwanese Americans on the 2020 Census form under the race question (question six,) so that we will finally have accurate data on how many Taiwanese Americans there are in the United States today.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,
Formosan Association for Public Affairs
Taiwanese Association of American
Dr. Chen Wen-Chen Memorial Foundation
Dr. Wang Kang-Lu Memorial Foundation
Formosan Association for Human Rights
North America Taiwanese Medical Association
North America Taiwanese Professors’ Association
North America Taiwanese Women’s Association
Taiwanese American Citizens League
Taiwanese American Historical Society
World Taiwanese Congress
World United Formosans for Independence – USA

台美人組織聯名信聯名名單

• 台灣人公共事務會
• 全美台灣同鄉會
• 陳文成教授紀念基金會
• 王康陸博士紀念基金會
• 全美台灣人權協會
• 北美洲台灣人醫師協會
• 北美洲台灣人教授協會
• 北美洲台灣婦女會
• 台美公民協會
• 台美人歷史協會
• 世界台灣人大會
• 台灣獨立建國聯盟美國本部

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

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On Taiwan’s Father’s Day, FAPA Urges Pope To Work Towards Dual Recognition Of China And Taiwan

In a letter to Holy Father Pope Francis dated August 8, the president of the Formosan Association for Public Affairs, Peter Chen, calls upon the Pope, while exploring diplomatic relations with China, not to abandon diplomatic relations with Taiwan, but instead move towards “Dual Recognition” of Beijing and Taipei.

The letter reads: “For the past decades, China’s Communist Government has forced nations around the world to choose between maintaining diplomatic relations with either Taipei or Beijing. […] I ask that you pledge, while you consider establishing diplomatic ties with China, that your initiative will be based on the principle of not hurting diplomatic relations with Taiwan.”

The letter continues: “I would like to propose that you consider moving towards “Dual Recognition” of both governments in Beijing and Taipei Such dual diplomatic recognition would entail not abandoning the 23 million people of Taiwan and the believers in Taiwan of the Catholic faith, and would be a way to foster and encourage peaceful coexistence and mutual respect between Taiwan and China. It would also set a precedent for other countries to emulate.” To paraphrase Luke 15:4: “A good shepherd never loses even one sheep…”

FAPA President Peter Chen says: “The Pope has Catholic followers and supporters in both Taiwan and China. The Vatican can and must play a unique role in the Dual Recognition of Taiwan and China process. Dual Recognition is an idea that is long overdue.”

Mr. Chen continues: “Pope Francis played a critical initiating role in putting the establishment of U.S.-Cuba diplomatic relations on the rails. It makes very much sense that he takes the lead in recognizing that Taiwan and China are two countries on either side of the Taiwan Strait that the international community want to see develop into friendly neighbors.”

Letter to Pope

His Holiness, Pope Francis August 8, 2016
Apostolic Palace
The Vatican
00120 Vatican City
Holy Father,

While the people of Taiwan are celebrating Father’s Day, I am writing to you today, as the President of the Formosan Association for Public Affairs, (FAPA) a U.S. based grassroots organization that promotes freedom, human rights and democracy for the people of Taiwan, about an issue of concern to me and my members.

On August 5, Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it “was closely observing developments indicating the Vatican might be moving closer to establishing diplomatic relations with China.” Additionally, according to the Hong Kong media, Hong Kong Cardinal John Tong Hon said that “the Vatican and China might have reached a preliminary agreement on the appointment of bishops” in China.

As you are well aware, for the past decades, China’s Communist Government has forced nations around the world to choose between maintaining diplomatic relations with either Taipei or Beijing. And even though I fully understand the importance of diplomatic relations between the Vatican and the government in Beijing, I respectfully ask that you pledge, while you consider establishing diplomatic ties with China, that your initiative will be based on the principle of not hurting diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

Specifically, I would like to propose that you consider moving towards “Dual Recognition” of both governments in Beijing and Taipei. Such dual diplomatic recognition would entail not abandoning the 23 million people of Taiwan and the believers in Taiwan of the Catholic faith, and would be a way to foster and encourage peaceful coexistence and mutual respect between Taiwan and China. It would also set a precedent for other countries to emulate. To paraphrase Luke 15:4: “A good shepherd never loses even one sheep…”

Your holiness, the Vatican leadership, and Catholicism have impacted the world in positive ways. We respectfully urge you to use your vision and leadership to break the stalemate and rhetoric of the Cold War and recognize both Taiwan and China. This would genuinely enhance peace and security and promote the value of respect of human dignity, life, and rights.

Thank you very much. I look forward to hearing from you.

With every good wish to Your Holiness, I am,

Peter Chen, President,
Formosan Association for Public Affairs

在台灣父親節 台灣人公共事務會致函給天主教大家長方濟各教宗 呼籲對台灣及中國給予「雙重承認」

FAPA總會長陳正義在8月8日父親節給天主教大家長方濟各教宗的信中，呼籲他在考量與中國建立邦交的可能性時，要朝「雙重承認」北京與台北的模式，不要放棄與台灣的外交關係。

在信中寫道:「在過去幾十年來，中國的共產政府強行逼迫世界各國選擇要跟台北還是北京保持外交關係。 […] 我期許你能保證，你在以不傷害與台灣的外交關係下，考慮與中國建交。」

信中繼續提到: 「我希望你在未來能考慮朝與北京與台北兩個政府的『雙重承認』政策。這樣既不會放棄台灣二千三百萬人或在台灣的天主教信徒；同時也能助長及鼓勵台灣和中國的和平公存及相互尊重。這也能設下先例讓別的國家效仿。」聖經路加福音15章4節說道：「你們中間有那個人有一百隻羊，遺失了其中的一隻，而不把這九十九隻丟在荒野，去尋覓那遺失的一隻，直到找著呢？」

台灣人公共事務會會長陳正義說到: 「教宗在台灣及中國都有天主教徒及支持者。教廷可以也必須在台灣與中國的「雙重承認」的過程中，扮演一個獨特的角色。『雙重承認』是一個早已該實施的政策。」

陳正義繼續提到: 「方濟各教宗在美國與古巴恢復外交關係的軌道上，扮演了開啟者的角色。教宗在承認台灣海峽兩邊的台灣與中國都是國家也很合理，符合國際社會希望兩個國家成為友善的鄰國的期待。」

台灣人公共事務會致教宗公開信

教宗陛下鈞鑒：

我以台灣人公共事務會的會長致函給您，FAPA是一個位在美國、提倡台灣人民的自由、人權及民主的草根組織，我今天向您表達我和我的會員擔憂的議題。

在八月五號，台灣的外交部提到「他們對教廷可能與中國建立正式邦交的發展的可能性，有持續的觀察。」另外，根據一個香港的媒體，香港的樞機主教 湯漢 在中國說到: 「教廷和中國有可能達到初期的共識。」

您應該知道，在過去幾十年來，中國的共產政府強行逼迫世界各國選擇要跟台北還是北京保持外交關係。雖然我完全理解教廷與北京政府外交關係的重要性，我期許您能保證，您是在以不傷害與台灣的外交前提下，考慮與中國建交。」

另外，我希望您在未來能考慮朝向與北京與台北兩個政府的「雙重承認」。這樣的「雙重承認」既不會放棄台灣的兩千三百萬人，和在台灣的天主教信徒；同時也能助長及鼓勵台灣和中國的和平公存及相互尊重。這也能設下先例，讓別的國家效仿。聖經路加福音15章4節說道：「你們中間有那個人有一百隻羊，遺失了其中的一隻，而不把這九十九隻丟在荒野，去尋覓那遺失的一隻，直到找著呢？」

教宗陛下，您是梵蒂岡的領導，過去天主教在世界上有許多正面的影響。我們懇請您，使用您的遠景和領導能力來打破冷戰的僵持，來承認台灣及中國。這樣並能真實的增強和平、及安全，還有提倡尊嚴、生命、和人權尊重的價值。

非常感謝您。我靜候您的回覆。

陳正義  會長
台灣人公共事務會

Photo Credit: Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk (Flickr)

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FAPA Urges Pope To Work Towards Dual Recognition Of China And Taiwan

In a letter to Pope Francis dated October 9, the president of the Formosan Association for Public Affairs, Dr. Mark Kao, calls upon the Pope, while he is exploring diplomatic relations with China, not to abandon diplomatic relations with Taiwan but instead move towards “Dual Recognition” of Beijing and Taipei.

The letter reads:  “For the past decades, China’s Communist Government has forced nations around the world to choose between maintaining diplomatic relations with either Taipei or Beijing. […] I ask that you pledge, while you consider establishing diplomatic ties with China, that your initiative will be based on the principle of not hurting diplomatic relations with Taiwan.”

The letter continues: “I would like to propose that you consider moving towards “Dual Recognition” of both governments in Beijing and Taipei. Such dual diplomatic recognition would entail not abandoning the 23 million people of Taiwan, and in addition would also be a way to foster and encourage peaceful coexistence between Taiwan and China. And it would set a precedent for other countries to emulate.”

FAPA President Mark Kao, Ph.D., says: “Dual Recognition” of China and Taiwan is an idea that is long overdue. Pope Francis played a critical initiating role in putting the establishment of U.S.-Cuba diplomatic relations on the rails. It makes very much sense that he takes the lead in recognizing that Taiwan and China are two countries on either side of the Taiwan Strait which the international community wants to see develop into friendly neighbors.”

台灣人公共事務會呼籲教宗對台灣及中國給予「雙重承認」

台灣人公共事務會會長高龍榮博士，於10月13日致函教宗方濟各，呼籲教廷在考量與中國建交的同時，不應放棄與台灣的外交關係，而應考量以「雙重承認」的模式，同時與北京及台北維持外交關係。

信中寫道：「過去數十年間，中國共產黨政府強勢逼迫世界各國須在北京與台北間擇一建交。（中略）請您保證在考量與中國建交的同時，將以不傷害教廷與台灣的外交關係為原則。」

信中續道：「我想向您建議考量對北京與台北兩政府給與『雙重承認』。『雙重承認』不只代表著教廷不會放棄台灣兩千三百萬人民外，同時將鼓勵台灣與中國之間和平共存，也會替其他國家立下可以依循的先例。」

台灣人公共事務會會長高龍榮博士表示：「對中國及台灣給予『雙重承認』是一個早就應該實施的概念。教宗方濟各在促成美國與古巴建交中扮演了關鍵性的起頭角色，因此由他帶頭同時承認台灣與中國為兩個國家是十分合理的，而國際社會也樂於見到台海雙方成為友好的鄰近國家。」

Letter to Pope Francis