The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of (Mofa) Taiwan, has downplayed sporadic concerns on regional stability by a handful of countries about a referandum on using the name Taiwan for UN membership, which is scheduled for next month.

According to reports reaching the Daily Observer, the ministry said that the referendums would be a reflection of Taiwanese will and would not upset regional stability as Canberra authorities feared.

"[The right to hold a] referendum is a core value in a democracy. It is the will of Taiwanese people to be part of the UN," ministry spokeswoman Phoebe Yeh said, stressing that the referendums would not alter the cross-strait status quo or pose any threat to regional stability.

The referendums on joining the world body are scheduled to held in conjunction with the presidential election on March 22.

One version, backed by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), calls for Taiwan to apply for UN entry using the name "Taiwan," while the other, initiated by the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT), proposes a return to the organisation using the name "Republic of China," "Taiwan," or "any other practical or flexible title."

Some Taiwanese academics believe China is more concerned about the results of the two upcoming referendums than the presidential race because even if the DPP's Frank Hsieh wins over the KMT's Ma Ying-jeou, the new president would have little wiggle room to exercise his power thanks to a pan-blue-dominated legislature.

Beijing had stayed relatively quiet on the issue, fearing that harsh criticism of the referendum bids would result in a public backlash and rally up votes for the DPP.

Instead, Beijing has been using its allies to criticise the referendums, he said.