Scotland National Museum Map Sparks Controversy: Japanese-Taiwanese Group Urges MOFA to Take Action

(CNA, Tokyo, June 13 - Comprehensive foreign news report) The 'Exploring East Asia' permanent exhibition at the National Museum of Scotland uses a map that colors China and Taiwan as a single block, sparking controversy.

In response, the Japanese-based Taiwanese group 'Taiwan United Association Japan' issued a statement today expressing concern over the map's depiction, which they say conveys the impression that Taiwan is part of China. The group urges Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to formally request the British government, relevant institutions, and the National Museum of Scotland to promptly correct the inaccurate representation of Taiwan on the map.

The statement emphasizes that museums, as institutions conveying culture and history, should not reflect specific political stances or unilateral interpretations. Instead, they bear a public mission to provide visitors with accurate and neutral knowledge. The group notes that the globally respected National Museum of Scotland's use of a misleading representation is troubling from the standpoint of academic credibility and cannot be ignored.

It further warns that this incident reveals how such misconceptions may have already permeated renowned public cultural institutions worldwide.

The museum's parent organization, National Museums Scotland, told CNA earlier this month that the map follows the United Nations' geographical regional classification system, which does not include Taiwan. Taiwan's Taipei Representative Office in Edinburgh stated that it has clearly communicated Taiwan's position to the relevant authorities.

(Editor: Yang Wei-ching) 1150613