Changes

The Dutch East India Company had a trading post on Taiwan in the 17th century. The island was acquired by Japan in 1895 as a result of the Sino-Japanese War. It was returned to China in 1945 at the end of World War II. The current division between Taiwan and the mainland originated in 1949, when the Nationalist Party, defeated by the communists in the Chinese Civil War, fled the mainland and relocated to Taiwan.

The Dutch East India Company had a trading post on Taiwan in the 17th century. The island was acquired by Japan in 1895 as a result of the Sino-Japanese War. It was returned to China in 1945 at the end of World War II. The current division between Taiwan and the mainland originated in 1949, when the Nationalist Party, defeated by the communists in the Chinese Civil War, fled the mainland and relocated to Taiwan.

The [[United Nations]] and most non-communist states continued to recognize the Nationalist regime in Taiwan as the legitimate government of China until 1971. At this time, the Nationalists were expelled from the U.N. and China's seat was reassigned to Beijing. The communist government in Beijing claims Taiwan as a renegade province.

The [[United Nations]] and most non-communist states continued to recognize the Nationalist regime in Taiwan as the legitimate government of China until 1971. At this time, the Nationalists were expelled from the U.N. and China's seat was reassigned to Beijing. The communist government in Beijing claims Taiwan as a renegade province. President Jimmy Carter withdrew U.S. recognition of Taiwan in 1979, and Congress passed the Taiwan Relations Act to regulate relations between the two countries.

Taiwan was under marital law from 1948 until 1987. During this period, Taiwan was a one-party state and opposition political activity was not permitted. The country held its first democratic presidential election in 1996. The ruling Nationalist Party emphasizes the islanders' Chinese identity. The opposition Democratic Progressive Party stresses "Taiwanization" and promotes the use of the name "Taiwan," as opposed to "[[Republic of China]]."

Taiwan was under marital law from 1948 until 1987. During this period, Taiwan was a one-party state and opposition political activity was not permitted. The country held its first democratic presidential election in 1996. The ruling Nationalist Party emphasizes the islanders' Chinese identity. The opposition Democratic Progressive Party stresses "Taiwanization" and promotes the use of the name "Taiwan," as opposed to "[[Republic of China]]."