Taiwan Recalls Passports That Mistakenly Feature Dulles Airport

In a case of mistaken identity, the Taiwanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) was forced to recall 200,000 printed passports that were supposed to feature an image of Taiwan's Taoyuan International Airport (TPE). However, the image of the airport in the passport shows none other than Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).

MOFA explained in a recent press conference that the designer in charge of creating the new passport had mistakenly worked off a photo of the DC-area airport, which is thought to have been the inspiration behind similar-looking Taoyuan's Terminal One, during the drawing process.

Almost 300 citizens received copies of the incorrect passport, which only later did MOFA decide did, indeed, need to be recalled despite concerns of making applicants wait for the new and improved version to be issued. The additional 199,700 will not be sent out, and according to the Central News Agency, the new version should hopefully be ready in just one month.

MOFA says first generation e-passports are being sent to applicants in the meantime.