TOEFL Website Lists Taiwan As Part Of China

In July 44 airlines bowed to Chinese pressure and listed on their websites Taiwan as part of China. Now the official website of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) has changed the name of Taiwan to "Taiwan, China".

TOEFL is a test organized by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), which according to its website develops, administers and scores more than 50 million tests annually in more than 180 countries at more than 9,000 locations worldwide.

Apple Daily reports that in the past Taiwan was listed as a separate country and that Taiwanese students recently noticed the change. Not only the website, but also registration forms and grade reports show Taiwan as being part of China.

Asked by an Apple Daily reporter to comment on Taiwan's name change, ETS replied that the organization values "students coming from every part of the world" and that it looks forward to "continuing to serve all test takers."

China views Taiwan as part of its territory and has vowed to use force to bring about "reunification" if all peaceful options were exhausted. On August 22 El Salvador switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing, leaving Taiwan with only 17 diplomatic allies. China has also threatened to punish companies that do not adhere to its 'one-China' policy.

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