Overseas Compatriot Affairs Commission
Encyclopedia
The Overseas Compatriot Affairs Commission is a cabinet-level commission of the Executive Yuan
of the Republic of China
(Taiwan). Its main objective is to serve as a cultural, education, economic, and informational exchanges organization between Taiwan
and overseas Chinese
. With the evolution of the political landscape and the Taiwanese localization movement
, the organization now puts emphasis not only in Mandarin Chinese, but also on Taiwanese, Hakka, and other Taiwanese cultural expressions. It offers information about aboriginal
tribes in Taiwan, and its overseas offices may serve, in addition to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Offices.
, under "the Campaign for the Correction of Names" favored by President Chen Shui-bian
. However, its English acronym OCAC and Chinese name remain the same, to reduce the expense for its official title change.
Executive Yuan
The Executive Yuan is the executive branch of the government of the Republic of China , commonly known as "Taiwan".-Organization and structure:...
of the Republic of China
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
(Taiwan). Its main objective is to serve as a cultural, education, economic, and informational exchanges organization between Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
and overseas Chinese
Overseas Chinese
Overseas Chinese are people of Chinese birth or descent who live outside the Greater China Area . People of partial Chinese ancestry living outside the Greater China Area may also consider themselves Overseas Chinese....
. With the evolution of the political landscape and the Taiwanese localization movement
Taiwanese localization movement
Taiwanization , also known as the Taiwanese localization movement, is a political term used in Taiwan to emphasize the importance of a separate Taiwanese culture rather than to regard Taiwan as solely an appendage of China...
, the organization now puts emphasis not only in Mandarin Chinese, but also on Taiwanese, Hakka, and other Taiwanese cultural expressions. It offers information about aboriginal
Taiwanese aborigines
Taiwanese aborigines is the term commonly applied in reference to the indigenous peoples of Taiwan. Although Taiwanese indigenous groups hold a variety of creation myths, recent research suggests their ancestors may have been living on the islands for approximately 8,000 years before major Han...
tribes in Taiwan, and its overseas offices may serve, in addition to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Offices.
Title change
The English title of the commission was changed from "Overseas Chinese Affairs Commission" to "Overseas Compatriot Affairs Commission" in 2006, to avoid being confused as a governmental body of the People's Republic of ChinaPeople's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
, under "the Campaign for the Correction of Names" favored by President Chen Shui-bian
Chen Shui-bian
Chen Shui-bian is a former Taiwanese politician who was the 10th and 11th-term President of the Republic of China from 2000 to 2008. Chen, whose Democratic Progressive Party has traditionally been supportive of Taiwan independence, ended more than fifty years of Kuomintang rule in Taiwan...
. However, its English acronym OCAC and Chinese name remain the same, to reduce the expense for its official title change.