Wikipedia:Words to watch about Cross-Strait Relations
 | This is an essay on the Wikipedia:Neutral point of view and Wikipedia:Words to watch policies. It contains the advice or opinions of one or more Wikipedia contributors. This page is not an encyclopedia article, nor is it one of Wikipedia's policies or guidelines, as it has not been thoroughly vetted by the community. Some essays represent widespread norms; others only represent minority viewpoints. |
IMPORTANT NOTE: This essay is translated from WP:WORDS#Cross-Strait Politics on CHINESE Wikipedia. It's NOT equal to WP:WORDS on English Wikipedia and may be poorly translated.
Wikipedia avoids bias on Taiwan or Tibet on any articles. Although UN and many countries acknowledge PRC as the sole and legitimate government of China, Wikipedia should be neutral and therefore not link "China" to any political body or government, ESPECIALLY not territory now under control of PRC or mainland China. It's better to use "Beijing" for "Government of PRC". "Communist China Government" is often negative and better avoided.
For the same reason, if "Republic of China" is more accurate, "Taiwan" is better avoided, ESPECIALLY names of ROC government, law or politics related articles. For maintaining Wikipedia's NPOV, on Chinese reunification vs Taiwan Independence, we only use real government names for the government currently controls Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu.
Another important note: Wikipedia treats ROC and PRC equally, the two parties are not part of each other; but to remain neutral, Wikipedia REMAINS SILENT about whether PRC and ROC is unified or divided. Please be careful while editing about this.
When writing about government or state-related issues, official names "People's Republic of China" and "Republic of China" are appropriate. For example, "Hu Jintao is President of the People's Republic of China" instead of President of China, while "Only citizens of Free Area of the Republic of China can vote in Republic of China presidential election".
Taiwan should not be written as an independent state or part of PRC, while treating it as part of ROC is appropriate. When involved political status of Taiwan, do add notes of complexity of Taiwan. So, "Taiwan" is appropriate to refer to island or Taiwan Province. While "Taiwan Province" is possbily offensive, so only use it when specially referring to the Province. However, We can use "Taiwan" as an abbreviation of ROC on articles UNRELATED to government, law, politics.
As in common practice, Wikipedia will not support or oppose the two statements below: 1. The Constitution of PRC states Taiwan is part of PRC. 2. The Constitution of ROC states ROC includes mainland China and Outer Mongolia.
On unofficial organizations and international activities, use its official name in the scenario. For example, use Chinese Taipei instead of Taiwan or ROC in Olympics.
When compared to Taiwan (not related to politics), "Mainland China" should be used. Hong Kong and Macau is commonly not considered part of Mainland China although under PRC control.
NOTE: These do not fully apply to articles on history, ESPECIALLY before ROC controls Taiwan.