Political status of Taiwan facts for kids

A ROC Map, printed in 1926, which showed Taiwan as part of Japan.

The political status of Taiwan is a complicated situation. Many people have different ideas about it. There are two governments that call themselves "China." One is the People's Republic of China (PRC), which is the mainland China that most people know. The other is the Republic of China (ROC), which is better known as Taiwan.

Taiwan was part of China from the late 1600s. After a war between China and Japan (the First Sino-Japanese War), Taiwan was given to Japan. After World War II, Japan gave Taiwan back to China. In 1949, there was a civil war in China. The ROC government lost this war and moved to the island of Taiwan. They took control of Taiwan and some nearby islands. The PRC then controlled mainland China. The PRC says that Taiwan is part of its territory. The ROC used to say it was the rightful government of all of China, including Taiwan and Mongolia. In 1971, the ROC lost its seat at the United Nations. The PRC got the seat instead. This meant that most countries recognized the PRC as the official government of China. Today, 23 countries have official ties with Taiwan. Many other countries still have close connections with Taiwan, even without official diplomatic relations. The main problem is whether Taiwan should be part of the PRC or become an independent country.

What is Taiwan's Status Today?

People in Taiwan have different opinions about their future. It's hard to know exactly what most people think. Taiwan has not been ruled by mainland China since 1895. Today, Taiwan is a democracy, where people can vote for their leaders. China, however, is ruled by a communist government. The idea of freedom is different in a democracy compared to a communist system. Few people in Taiwan want to become part of communist China. Almost no one wants to give up their freedom. Some people in Taiwan want Taiwan to officially become the "Republic of Taiwan," a completely independent country. Most people in Taiwan want to keep things as they are now. They want to wait for the best time to decide about becoming the Republic of Taiwan.

How Other Countries See Taiwan

Most countries in the world see the PRC as the official China. However, many countries still have very close economic and cultural relationships with Taiwan. This is true even if they have disagreements with the PRC.

Main Problems Between Taiwan and China

The relationship between the PRC and Taiwan is often tense. The PRC believes that Taiwan is a part of the PRC. The PRC government has said that if the people of Taiwan vote to become the Republic of Taiwan, they will invade Taiwan to stop it. In March 2004, the PRC passed a law that allows them to invade Taiwan if Taiwan tries to become an independent country. This law has made many people in Taiwan upset. It has also made even more people in Taiwan not want to be part of the PRC.

Images for kids

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  According to the Treaty of Shimonoseki, Taiwan was part of Japan when the ROC was formed in 1912. The PRC (founded in 1949) says this treaty was not fair.

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  A shopping bag from a pastry shop that supports Taiwan's independence. It uses "State of Taiwan" instead of "Taiwan Province" or "Republic of China."

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  Non-partisan Taiwanese politician Wu San-lian (second from left) celebrating his big win in the first Taipei city mayoral election in January 1951. Taipei has been the capital of the Republic of China since December 1949.

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  This is a Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents. The People's Republic of China gives this permit to people from Taiwan so they can travel to mainland China. The PRC does not accept Republic of China passports.

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  This is an Exit and Entry Permit for Taiwan, Republic of China. The Republic of China gives this permit to people from mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau so they can travel to Taiwan. The ROC does not accept People's Republic of China passports.

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  The building of the Provincial Government of the Taiwan Province of the Republic of China at Jhongsing Village.

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  The Republic of China Presidential Office Building is in the Zhongzheng District of Taipei.

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  With President Chiang Kai-shek, U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower waved to people in Taipei, Taiwan during his visit in June 1960.

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  President Chen Shui-bian (far left) attended the funeral of Pope John Paul II in 2005. The Holy See recognized him as the head of state of China, so Chen sat in the front row.

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  A ROCS Kang Ding-class frigate ship with an S-70C helicopter.

See also

In Spanish: Estatus político de la República de China para niños