REP. MOOLENAAR AND SEN. BLACKBURN URGE HOTEL CHAINS TO STOP USING THE TERM “TAIWAN, CHINA” ㅤ On May 21, U.S. Representative John Moolenaar (R-MI), Chair of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, and U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) sent a letter to the CEOs of three major hotel chains — Hilton, Marriott, and Hyatt — raising serious concerns over their use of the term “Taiwan, China” on their websites and in promotional materials. The lawmakers wrote 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 further underscored that the U.S. government “maintains robust ties with Taiwan and actively supports Taiwan’s participation on the international stage” under the Taiwan Relations Act. The lawmakers also noted 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, while also requesting that the three hotel chains disclose when they began using the term “Taiwan, China” and whether the decision was influenced by the PRC or affiliated entities. FAPA has long advocated for name rectification, urging that Taiwan be referred to simply as “Taiwan.” This includes calling on U.S. companies, government agencies, and organizations to stop referring to Taiwan as part of China or as a Chinese province. In 2005 and 2006, FAPA successfully urged Amtrak and the United States Postal Service (USPS), respectively, to remove references to Taiwan as a “province of China.” In 2012, in collaboration with then-Congressman Howard Berman (D-CA), FAPA successfully persuaded the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to remove the “China (Taiwan)” designation from Form I-94 documents and the Global Entry Program application process. In 2016, FAPA successfully urged Costco to move Taiwan from the “province” options to the “country” options in its online job application form. In its response, Costco acknowledged the mislabeling as an oversight and promptly corrected it, stating that they “very much consider it [Taiwan] a country.” However, FAPA has not yet succeeded in convincing major U.S.-based multinational hotel chains to stop referring to Taiwan as “Taiwan, China.” We are therefore grateful for the recent efforts by Representative Moolenaar and Senator Blackburn in urging Hilton, Marriott, and Hyatt to correct this misrepresentation. ㅤ Sources: [1] House Select Committee on the CCP https://selectcommitteeontheccp.house.gov/media/press-releases/moolenaar-blackburn-hotel-giants-stop-pushing-communist-chinas-talking-points [2] Focus Taiwan https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202505220005 ㅤ Photos: House Select Committee on the CCP, Rep. John Moolenaar / X, Sen. Marsha Blackburn’s Office (fb)

For Immediate Release Washington, D.C. – May 21, 2025 Contact: 202-547-3686 ㅤ FAPA MOURNS THE PASSING OF CONGRESSMAN GERALD E. CONNOLLY, HONORING HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO U.S.-TAIWAN RELATIONS ㅤ The Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA) mourns the passing of U.S. Representative Gerald E. Connolly (D-VA), who died on the morning of Wednesday, May 21, 2025. Congressman Connolly served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2009 until his passing in 2025, leaving a profound impact on countless Taiwanese and American people—including the thousands of FAPA members across the country. Throughout his career, he remained a steadfast advocate for Taiwan and its right to determine its own future, free from the People’s Republic of China’s coercion. As a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Co-Chair of the bipartisan Congressional Taiwan Caucus, Congressman Connolly was relentless in advancing policies that deepened U.S.-Taiwan relations. His leadership helped shape a more principled and proactive U.S. approach toward Taiwan. Congressman Connolly’s legislative record speaks volumes. During the 119th Congress, he served as the lead sponsor or a key cosponsor of several major pro-Taiwan legislations, 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 H.Res.148, which supports Taiwan international space and rejects China’s false sovereignty claims over Taiwan. His passing is a tremendous loss for those who cherish democracy, freedom, and integrity in public service. Congressman Connolly set a standard for principled foreign policy leadership—both in Congress and around the world. Though his voice is gone, his legacy will continue to resonate for years to come. FAPA National President Dr. Su-Mei Kao states: “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 legislations 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.” FAPA extends its heartfelt condolences to Congressman Connolly’s family, staff, and colleagues. May he rest in peace. ㅤ FAPA 哀悼康諾里眾議員辭世，緬懷其對美台關係之卓越貢獻 ㅤ 美國聯邦眾議員康諾里（Gerald E. Connolly, D-VA）於 2025 年 5 月 21 日上午辭世，台灣人公共事務會（FAPA）對此深表哀悼。 康諾里自 2009 年起擔任美國聯邦眾議員，至 2025 年辭世。在任期間，他對無數台灣人與美國人產生了深遠影響，其中亦包括遍布全美的數千位 FAPA 會員。康諾里在其政治生涯中始終堅定支持台灣，捍衛台灣人民自主決定未來、不受中華人民共和國脅迫的權利。 作為眾議院外交事務委員會成員及跨黨派「國會台灣連線」共同主席，康諾里積極推動各項有助於深化美台關係的政策。他的領導力為美國對台政策塑造了更具原則性與前瞻性的方向。 康諾里的立法紀錄充分展現其對台灣的長期支持。在第 119 屆國會期間，他主導或共同提案多項關鍵挺台法案，包括《台灣保證實施法案》與《台灣國際團結法案》（兩案皆已於本月稍早通過眾議院），以及《台灣盟友基金法案》與《眾議院第 148 號決議案》，支持台灣拓展國際空間，並駁斥中國對台主權的虛假主張。 康諾里的辭世，對所有珍視民主、自由與政治誠信的人而言，都是重大損失。他在國會及國際舞台上展現的原則性外交領導典範，堪為表率。雖其音容已逝，其精神與貢獻將持續影響後世。 FAPA 總會會長林素梅博士表示：「我們深切哀悼康諾里眾議員的辭世。他是台灣堅定且熱忱的支持者。作為國會台灣連線的共同主席及眾議院外交委員會的成員，康諾里眾議員在推動強化美台關係的重要跨黨派立法中發揮了關鍵作用。」林會長補充道：「他對民主與人權的長期堅持，不僅鞏固了美國對台的承諾，促進美台夥伴關係，也激勵了無數支持台灣的倡議者。他的貢獻將永遠銘記於人們心中，我們將深切懷念他。」 FAPA 謹向康諾里眾議員的家屬、幕僚與同仁致上最誠摯的哀悼與敬意。願其安息。 ㅤ Photo: Rep. Gerald Connolly’s Office (fb)