Name rectification of Taiwan's nationality on Couchsurfing
Couchsurfing is a quality travel platform where many travelers have had great experiences. The experience is not just about staying on a local's couch while traveling, but more importantly, it is an opportunity for people from all over the world to interact with each other and has a deeper experience.
However, travelers from Taiwan have been facing a problem for years, as nationality is often the first impression to know each other on the Couchsurfing platform. However, the nationality option in Couchsurfing lists Taiwan as a province of China, which is untrue and harmful to travelers from Taiwan; therefore, we have three points to make.
Since its inception, Couchsurfing has always positioned itself as a non-profit organization, whether it was popular more than a decade ago, then declined, or today, due to the pandemic, began charging members to operate. As a result, all users of the platform are equal, and everything operates based on each individual's free will. We believe that such an organization should not be dictated by the ideology of any individual, organization, or country, but should respect the values of each member and protect their right to choose their own national identity.
Since the 21st century, Couchsurfing has provided a quality platform for free travelers from all over the world to communicate and help each other. However, the mistake in nationality has caused a real problem for the members in Taiwan. Whether as a guest or a host, they all face the situation of having to explain their nationality to others, and many of them simply put up "no nationality". Whether you are a traveler from Taiwan, China, or any other country in the world, you want to be understood correctly.
One of the most important objectives of Couchsurfing is to allow people from different backgrounds to interact with each other in an equal situation and with mutual respect. This becomes more difficult when certain groups of people are no longer able to express themselves comfortably due to certain factors. To reach closer to this goal, we must actively defend the rights of the minority or disadvantaged groups so that they can continue to live on without threat.
We hope to rally the voices of all of you to ask Couchsurfing to remove the description of Taiwan as a province of China and to provide members who identify themselves as Taiwanese with the option to properly claim their nationality Taiwan instead of a province of China. Also, Couchsurfing should promise to treat all members equally in the future and not to sacrifice the rights of minority or disadvantaged cultures and countries because of specific values, nationalities, or ideologies.
Petition Instructions
Once you have completed the petition form, your information will be immediately available on the petition page.
We may modify or delete your information if:
You have reported that you have not signed this form.
The information is found to be incorrect or misplaced.
You repeatedly complete the form.
The information is for the sole purpose of signing and will not be used for any other purpose.
If you have any questions regarding this form, please email us at ycchiang0609@gmail.com.
