Taiwan is not a part of China (People's Republic of China). Taiwan and China have never belonged to each other. The Ching Dynasty ceded the beautiful island Formosa (as passer-by Portuguese sailors called it) after the Ching lost a war to Japan. It is unfortunate that China opposes Taiwan's application as a member in the United Nations. Taiwan has been a democratic country by any definition. As an American citizen, I would urge the House of Representatives to pass a bill to recognize Taiwan. Other countries in the world will follow the U.S. decision to recognize Taiwan as a nation.

—Ken Hsu

PITTSFORD