At the Harvard Model United Nations (HMUN) in Boston in late January, a delegation of Chinese participants discovered that Taiwan was listed as a country in this year's conference handbook. They pointed out this mistake, reasoning with the organizers and requesting an alteration. However, several members of the group ended up being ejected from a meeting. The organizers reportedly lashed out at the dislodged students, claiming "you make us feel uncomfortable."

The Model UN is an international relations simulation for high school students. It is an opportunity for delegates to gain insight into the dynamics of international relations and the workings of the UN by assuming the roles of diplomats.

The wrangle at the HMUN went viral online and caused a stir. Many people uphold the protest by the Chinese delegation, criticizing the unjustifiable practice by the HMUN. Some others believe that the Chinese delegation was making a fuss.

Although it's organized by students, the HMUN is a serious simulation of the real United Nations. There is no doubt that the HMUN made a mistake in its inclusion of Taiwan as a member country. Chinese students at the scene didn't do anything wrong in requesting the host to correct the error. The HMUN is supposed to imitate the right thing. There is nothing wrong with the Chinese delegates pointing out the blunder. As "Chinese representatives" in the "United Nations," they are responsible to safeguard China's legal interests.

Nonetheless, some hold that we shouldn't take the HMUN controversy so seriously as it's not an official platform and is organized by young students. Harvard is a world-famous university. But the young organizers acted in a rude and insolent manner in front of their mistakes. It's not something to be proud of. Taiwan is not entitled to the rights that a sovereign state deserves. Listing Taiwan as a "country" at international public occasions or flying the Taiwan flag will bring inconvenient consequences.

Some non-governmental organizations or enterprises are intentionally listing Taiwan as a "country." In most situations, Chinese representatives will point out the mistake and the organizers will correct their blunder.

However, there are also cases in which the hosts refuse to amend the error under a variety of excuses. They intend to deliberately embarrass Chinese representatives, or want to draw media attention. Noticeably, Taiwan is regarded as a country on few official occasions.  

When encountering a situation where Taiwan is mistakenly viewed as a "country" in foreign countries, we should point this mistake out. Correcting the error is reasonable. How the parties involved react demonstrates their sense of rationality and civilization.