Taipei: The pro-independence Taiwan Solidarity Union has officially changed its name to the Taiwan Solidarity Party, party Chairwoman Chou Ni-an announced on Sunday.

According to Focus Taiwan, Chou and members of her party had applied to change the political party’s official name.

Chou confirmed on Sunday that the party approved the name change at its congress in December last year, adding that the process was only completed recently. Chou explained that the party’s original Chinese name was often abbreviated by the public to “Taiwan Union” over the past 20 years. The name change is intended to usher in a fresh start for the party, she said.

Chou stated that the party has stronger support in central and southern Taiwan, where many residents regard the late former President Lee Teng-hui as its spiritual leader. Following Lee’s passing, many people mistakenly believed the party had disbanded or faded into obscurity, Chou told reporters. “But we are still here,” she said.

She further explained that the word “union” in the party’s former name sometimes led people to mistake it for a club or society, rather than a political party. The name change is a declaration that the party continues to serve the public under the legacy of Lee, Chou said.

Chou emphasized the importance of the party being recognizable on the ballot and stated, “We will return to a state where we are recognizable to the people and continue to fight for Taiwan.” According to Chou, the party was founded 24 years ago with the goal of strengthening Taiwan and its economy.

As a party that prioritizes Taiwan, she said her party’s platforms differ from those of the ruling party, particularly on salary issues. For example, the Taiwan Solidarity Party advocates delinking the wages of local and foreign workers, providing separate protections for each. Chou added that her party will continue to express these stances clearly in the future.