Due to the PRC's economic clout, it has successfully pressured many countries into withdrawing official recognition of the ROC. == Background == At the conclusion of the First Sino-Japanese War in 1895, Taiwan was ceded by the Chinese Qing Empire to the Empire of Japan via the Treaty of Shimonoseki.
Notably, the Treaty of San Francisco forms the primary basis of modern Japan's independence (from the WWII Allies), and largely dictates Japan's modern geopolitics. The premise of citing these two treaties is that: a) Japan gained sovereignty over Taiwan in 1895, b) Japan lost sovereignty over Taiwan in 1951–1952, and c) Japan never indicated the "successor state" on Taiwan thereafter.
From the KMT, then Chairman Ma Ying-jeou announced, “the Republic of China has been a sovereign state ever since it was formed [in 1912].” The pro-unification PFP Party Chairman, James Soong, called it “Taiwan's biggest failure in diplomacy.” === Support for independence === The first view considers the move for Taiwan independence as a nationalist movement.
These efforts were the goal of the Taiwanese Communist Party of the late 1920s.
The Taiwan independence movement under Japan was supported by Mao Zedong in the 1930s as a means of freeing Taiwan from Japanese rule. With the end of World War II in 1945, by issuing "General Order No.
mainland Chinese-born people who fled to Taiwan with KMT in the late 1940s).
== External links == Taiwan history Yes to Taiwan The True History of Taiwan San Francisco Treaty vs Cairo Declaration Taiwan population and languages Taiwan time line Taiwan history in comics World United Formosans for Independence Taiwan poll should ask about US sovereignty America and Taiwan, 1943-2004 Taiwan Documents Project Formosan Association for Public Affairs Taiwanese nationalism Taiwan under Republic of China rule Independence movements
At the conclusion of World War II and the Second Sino-Japanese War in 1945, Taiwan was placed under the control of the Republic of China (ROC) on behalf of the WWII Allies.
The Taiwan independence movement under Japan was supported by Mao Zedong in the 1930s as a means of freeing Taiwan from Japanese rule. With the end of World War II in 1945, by issuing "General Order No.
With the end of World War II in 1945, Japanese rule ended, but the subsequent autocratic rule of the ROC's Kuomintang (KMT) later revived calls for local rule.
They were very significant in the context of the Cold War, a period from 1946 until 1991 of geopolitical tension between the Soviet Union (and its allies) and the United States (and its allies). Ever since the transition into multi-party politics (i.e.
The February 28 Incident in 1947 and the ensuing martial law that lasted until 1987 contributed to the period of White Terror on the island.
In 1979, the Kaohsiung Incident, occurred as the movement for democracy and independence intensified. Between 1949 and 1991, the official position of the ROC government on Taiwan was that it was the legitimate government of all of China and it used this position as justification for authoritarian measures such as the refusal to vacate the seats held by delegates elected on the mainland in 1947 for the Legislative Yuan.
The ROC, then the generally recognized government of both China and Taiwan, declared Taiwan to have been "restored" to China; this is argued to have been an illegal act. In 1949–1950, the Communist Party of China (CPC) drove the ROC government out of China and into Taiwan (plus some minor Chinese islands), during the events of the Chinese Civil War.
The ROC selected Taipei as the provisional capital (of China) and declared "martial law" in 1949.
The period of martial law that existed in Taiwan from 1949 until 1987 resulted in the unlawful convictions and occasional executions of thousands of Taiwanese and Chinese democracy activists and other dissidents.
In 1979, the Kaohsiung Incident, occurred as the movement for democracy and independence intensified. Between 1949 and 1991, the official position of the ROC government on Taiwan was that it was the legitimate government of all of China and it used this position as justification for authoritarian measures such as the refusal to vacate the seats held by delegates elected on the mainland in 1947 for the Legislative Yuan.
de facto separate from mainland China/de jure separate from PRC) since the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1949, when the ROC lost control of mainland China, with only Taiwan (including the Penghu islands), Kinmen (Quemoy), the Matsu Islands off the coast of Fujian Province, and some of the islands in the South China Sea remaining under its administration.
The PRC considers itself the sole legitimate government of all China, and the ROC to be a defunct entity replaced in the Communist revolution that succeeded in 1949.
This represents the highest level of support for Taiwan's Independence since the survey was first conducted in 1991. == The issue of Kinmen (Quemoy) and Matsu (Lienchiang) == === Background === When the government of the Republic of China (under the Kuomintang) was forced to retreat to Formosa and the Pescadores (Taiwan and Penghu) in 1949, several Chinese (i.e.
In the 1950s a Republic of Taiwan Provisional Government was set up in Japan.
In 1950, Chiang Ching-kuo became director of the secret police, which he remained until 1965.
The islands are often referred to collectively as Quemoy and Matsu or as "Golden Horse". Historically, Kinmen County ('Quemoy') and Lienchiang County ('Matsu') served as important defensive strongholds for the Kuomintang during the 1950–1970s, symbolizing the frontline of Kuomintang resistance against the Communist rebellion.
Notably, the Treaty of San Francisco forms the primary basis of modern Japan's independence (from the WWII Allies), and largely dictates Japan's modern geopolitics. The premise of citing these two treaties is that: a) Japan gained sovereignty over Taiwan in 1895, b) Japan lost sovereignty over Taiwan in 1951–1952, and c) Japan never indicated the "successor state" on Taiwan thereafter.
An enemy of the Chiang family, Wu Kuo-chen, was kicked out of his position of governor of Taiwan by Chiang Ching-kuo and fled to America in 1953.
The islands received immense coverage from Western (especially United States) media during the First Taiwan Strait Crisis of 1954–1955 and the Second Taiwan Strait Crisis of 1958.
Chiang orchestrated the controversial court-martial and arrest of General Sun Li-jen in August 1955, for plotting a coup d'état with the American CIA against his father Chiang Kai-shek and the Kuomintang.
The islands received immense coverage from Western (especially United States) media during the First Taiwan Strait Crisis of 1954–1955 and the Second Taiwan Strait Crisis of 1958.
In 1950, Chiang Ching-kuo became director of the secret police, which he remained until 1965.
Within Taiwan, the independence movement was one of many dissident causes among the intensifying democracy movement of the 1970s, which culminated in the 1979 Kaohsiung Incident.
The ROC used to be recognized by the UN as the sole legal government of China until 1971.
In 1979, the Kaohsiung Incident, occurred as the movement for democracy and independence intensified. Between 1949 and 1991, the official position of the ROC government on Taiwan was that it was the legitimate government of all of China and it used this position as justification for authoritarian measures such as the refusal to vacate the seats held by delegates elected on the mainland in 1947 for the Legislative Yuan.
Within Taiwan, the independence movement was one of many dissident causes among the intensifying democracy movement of the 1970s, which culminated in the 1979 Kaohsiung Incident.
In the 1980s the Chinese Nationalist government considered publication of these ideas criminal.
The period of martial law that existed in Taiwan from 1949 until 1987 resulted in the unlawful convictions and occasional executions of thousands of Taiwanese and Chinese democracy activists and other dissidents.
This period has become colloquially known as the "White Terror". After 1987 Lieyu massacre, the Kuomintang released its hold on power and ended martial law in Taiwan.
The February 28 Incident in 1947 and the ensuing martial law that lasted until 1987 contributed to the period of White Terror on the island.
The CIA allegedly wanted to help Sun take control of Taiwan and declare its independence. During the martial law era lasting until 1987, discussion of Taiwan independence was forbidden in Taiwan, at a time when recovery of the mainland and national unification were the stated goals of the ROC.
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) was eventually formed to represent dissident causes. === Multiparty period === After the lifting of martial law in 1987, and the acceptance of multi-party politics, the Democratic Progressive Party became increasingly identified with Taiwan independence, which entered its party platform in 1991.
1" to the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers, the Allies agreed that the Republic of China Army under the Kuomintang would "temporarily occupy Taiwan, on behalf of the Allied forces." === Martial law period === Modern-day political movement for Taiwan independence dates back to the Japanese colonial period but only became a viable political force within Taiwan in the 1990s.
By the late 1990s, DPP and Taiwan independence have gained a solid electoral constituency in Taiwan, supported by an increasingly vocal and hardcore base. As the electoral success of the DPP, and later, the DPP-led Pan-Green Coalition grew in recent years, the Taiwan independence movement shifted focus to identity politics by proposing many plans involving symbolism and social engineering.
Since the late 1990s many supporters of Taiwan independence have argued that Taiwan, as the ROC, is already independent from the mainland, making a formal declaration unnecessary.
Since the 1990s, supporters of Taiwan independence no longer actively make this argument.
"Democratization") during the 1990s, Kinmen and Lienchiang counties have now essentially developed into two electorates that can be contested through democratic elections.
In 1979, the Kaohsiung Incident, occurred as the movement for democracy and independence intensified. Between 1949 and 1991, the official position of the ROC government on Taiwan was that it was the legitimate government of all of China and it used this position as justification for authoritarian measures such as the refusal to vacate the seats held by delegates elected on the mainland in 1947 for the Legislative Yuan.
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) was eventually formed to represent dissident causes. === Multiparty period === After the lifting of martial law in 1987, and the acceptance of multi-party politics, the Democratic Progressive Party became increasingly identified with Taiwan independence, which entered its party platform in 1991.
This represents the highest level of support for Taiwan's Independence since the survey was first conducted in 1991. == The issue of Kinmen (Quemoy) and Matsu (Lienchiang) == === Background === When the government of the Republic of China (under the Kuomintang) was forced to retreat to Formosa and the Pescadores (Taiwan and Penghu) in 1949, several Chinese (i.e.
They were very significant in the context of the Cold War, a period from 1946 until 1991 of geopolitical tension between the Soviet Union (and its allies) and the United States (and its allies). Ever since the transition into multi-party politics (i.e.
The PRC government continues to criticize the Taiwanese government, as the DPP administration has refused to officially recognize the 1992 Consensus and the One-China policy. == 2019–2020 Hong Kong Protest == === Causes === On March 13, 2018, 19 year old Chan Tong-Kai confessed to murdering his 20 year old girlfriend Poon Hiu-wing in Taiwan when the Hong Kong police arrested him after he used Pong’s ATM card to withdraw cash in both Taiwan and Hong Kong.
In May 1999, the Democratic Progressive Party formalized this position in its "Resolution on Taiwan's Future". In 1995, Taiwanese president Lee Teng-hui was given permission to speak at Cornell University about his dream of Taiwanese independence, the first time a Taiwanese leader had been allowed to visit the United States.
It is also thought that if formal independence were declared, Taiwan's foreign policies would lean further towards Japan and the United States, and the desirable option of United Nations Trusteeship Council is also considered. The Taiwan Independence Party won a single seat in the Legislative Yuan in the 1998 legislative election.
In May 1999, the Democratic Progressive Party formalized this position in its "Resolution on Taiwan's Future". In 1995, Taiwanese president Lee Teng-hui was given permission to speak at Cornell University about his dream of Taiwanese independence, the first time a Taiwanese leader had been allowed to visit the United States.
The Taiwan Solidarity Union was formed in 2001, and is also supportive of independence.
In January 2001, direct travel between Kinmen County (and Lienchiang County) and mainland China re-opened under the "mini Three Links".
Then, there are numerous positions running the entire spectrum between these two extremes, as well as differing opinions on how best to manage either situation should it ever be realized. On 25 October 2004, in Beijing, the U.S.
The governing body of Taiwan still continues to identify as the "Republic of China", but many institutions have been occupied and occasionally changed by the DPP, which has led to a theory that "the ROC is Taiwan". It is a point of contention as to whether Taiwan has already achieved de facto independence under the Constitution of the Republic of China amended in 2005.
During PRC President Hu Jintao's visit to the United States on 20 April 2006, U.S.
This led to a military response from China that included buying Russian submarines and conducting missile tests near Taiwan. ==== Chen Shui-bian administration (2000–2008) ==== In February 2007, President Chen Shui-bian initiated changes to names of state-owned enterprises, and the nation's embassies and overseas representative offices.
In 2007, the Taiwan Post Co.
However, the name of the post office was reverted to 'Chunghwa Post Co.' following the inauguration of Kuomintang president Ma Ying-jeou in 2008. The Pan-Blue camp voiced its opposition to the changes and the former KMT Chairman Ma Ying-jeou said that it would generate diplomatic troubles and cause cross-strait tensions.
Lee said the most important goals are to improve the people's livelihoods, build national consciousness, make a formal name change and draft a new constitution that reflects the present reality so that Taiwan can officially identify itself as a country. ==== Ma Ying-jeou administration (2008–2016) ==== Legislative elections were held on 12 January 2008, resulting in a supermajority (86 of the 113 seats) in the legislature for the Kuomintang (KMT) and the Pan-Blue Coalition.
The junior partner in the Pan-Green Coalition, the Taiwan Solidarity Union, won no seats. Two months later, the election for the 12th-term President and Vice-President of the Republic of China was held on Saturday, 22 March 2008.
Along with the 2008 legislative election, Ma's landslide victory brought the Kuomintang back to power in Taiwan. On 1 August 2008, the Board of Directors of Taiwan Post Co.
In 2010, "National Kinmen Institute of Technology" was upgraded to "National Quemoy University".
As of 2015, Kinmen has plans to become a "special economic zone (of China)", similarly to the neighbouring mainland Chinese city of Xiamen.
The National Unification Guidelines remain “frozen” and Ma has precluded any discussion of reunification during his term by his “three no’s” (no unification, no independence, and no use of force). ==== Tsai Ing-wen administration (2016–present) ==== The Democratic Progressive Party, led by Tsai Ing-wen, won a landslide victory over the Kuomintang on 20 May 2016.
The PRC government continues to criticize the Taiwanese government, as the DPP administration has refused to officially recognize the 1992 Consensus and the One-China policy. == 2019–2020 Hong Kong Protest == === Causes === On March 13, 2018, 19 year old Chan Tong-Kai confessed to murdering his 20 year old girlfriend Poon Hiu-wing in Taiwan when the Hong Kong police arrested him after he used Pong’s ATM card to withdraw cash in both Taiwan and Hong Kong.
In 2018, political parties and organizations demanding a referendum on Taiwan's independence formed an alliance to further their objective.
The Formosa Alliance was established on 7 April 2018, prompted by a sense of crisis in the face of growing pressure from China for unification.
In 2018, the local government of Kinmen County unveiled a new undersea pipeline linking Kinmen to mainland China, through which drinking-water can be imported.
The PRC government continues to criticize the Taiwanese government, as the DPP administration has refused to officially recognize the 1992 Consensus and the One-China policy. == 2019–2020 Hong Kong Protest == === Causes === On March 13, 2018, 19 year old Chan Tong-Kai confessed to murdering his 20 year old girlfriend Poon Hiu-wing in Taiwan when the Hong Kong police arrested him after he used Pong’s ATM card to withdraw cash in both Taiwan and Hong Kong.
Because Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China, the region cannot make agreements such as a mutual legal assistance treaty with Taiwan, thus making the transfer of Chan to Taiwan extremely difficult. In February 2019, the Hong Kong government proposed an amendment to the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance and Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Ordinance to allow the transfer of fugitives between Hong Kong and any place outside Hong Kong.
The alliance wanted to hold a referendum on Taiwan's independence in April 2019, and change the island's name from the “Republic of China” to “Taiwan,” and apply for membership in the United Nations.
In August 2019, another party supportive of independence, the Taiwan Action Party Alliance was founded. ===Support for status quo=== A second view is that Taiwan is already an independent nation with the official name “Republic of China,” which has been independent (i.e.
Chinese nationalists have called the Taiwan independence movement and its supporters to be hanjian (traitors). === Public opinion === According to an opinion poll conducted in Taiwan by the Mainland Affairs Council in 2019, 27.7% of respondents supported Taiwan's independence: 21.7% said that the status quo has to be maintained for now but Taiwan should become independent in the future, while 6% said that independence must be declared as soon as possible.
American journalist John Pomfret viewed this legislation as “ a blueprint for dealing with Taiwan,” and argued that similar legislation may also be impose in Taiwan if been unified. According to the survey organized by APF Canada and RIWI in August 2020, it showed that there was a positive correlation between concerns for Taiwan’s national security and agreement that the PRC has violated the “one country, two systems” principle.
Overall, about 66 percent of the people express certain level of concern (from slight to extreme), and only 34 percent showed “not at all concerned.” Within that, majority of those who showed concerns either identified themselves of Taiwanese or a supporter of the DPP. ==== Taiwan 2020 Election ==== One significant impact in Taiwan was the increasing support to Tsai Ing-wen, the seventh president of Taiwan and a member of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
As long as I’m President, “one country, two systems” will never be an option. In January 2020, Tsai was re-elected to be the president of Taiwan.
31% of respondents supported the current situation as it is, and 10.3% agreed to unification with the mainland with 1.4% saying that it should happen as soon as possible. Taiwanese Public Opinion Foundation poll conducted again in June 2020 showed, 54% of respondents support official independence for Taiwan: 23.4 percent prefer maintaining the status quo, 12.5 percent favor unification with China, and 10 percent do not hold any particular view on the matter.
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