The July 9 news story "Taiwan's Opposition to Shift China Stance" quoted a United Daily News survey as meaning "The percentage of Taiwanese who say they could accept the 'one-country, two-system' arrangement under which China regained possession of Hong Kong from Britain in 1997 is reportedly the highest it has been in years -- about 33 percent."

This is a misrepresentation of the survey. According to United Daily News, which conducted the survey, most respondents think the "one China" refers to the "Republic of China" (the official name of the government of Taiwan), and not the "People's Republic of China."

In other words, the one China, two systems chosen by 33 percent of respondents is not the same arrangement under which China regained possession of Hong Kong, because China has never acknowledged the existence of the Republic of China.

Jonathan Lin
Gaithersburg