Taiwan says it will stick to its decision to drop the word "China" from the names of state enterprises in favor of "Taiwan, " despite criticism from the United States.
The U.S. is one of Taiwan's biggest supporters, but the two do not have official diplomatic relations.
Taiwan's premier (Su Tseng-chang) told reporters on Saturday that the name changes are necessary to keep Taiwan's state-run companies from being confused with those from China.
Taiwan is changing the name of its state-run postal, petroleum and shipping companies.
On Friday, the U.S. State Department voiced its opposition to the changes. It also reiterated its stance that it does not favor steps by Taiwan that appear to change its status unilaterally or move toward independence.
China and Taiwan split at the end of a civil war in 1949. China claims sovereignty over the self-governing island.
Taiwan held the United Nations' China seat until 1971, when the General Assembly expelled Taipei and gave the seat to Beijing.
China has threatened to use force if Taiwan makes any formal moves toward independence.
Some information for this report provided by AP and Reuters.
