The Origin of the Division Between China and Taiwan

Taiwan has been a international headache for 70 years, with an undefined status.

Taiwan and China both claim to be the authentic China, leading to instability.

The origins of the division between China and Taiwan can be traced back to 1945.

🌍 After World War II, China and Taiwan became divided due to a civil war between the Kuomintang and the Chinese Communists, resulting in the establishment of the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China respectively.

🗽 Chiang Kai-shek and the Nationalists retreated to Taiwan, where they declared Taipei as the temporary capital of the Republic of China.

💥 Chiang Kai-shek's government in Taiwan claimed to be the legitimate authority of China and implemented martial law, which lasted until 1987.

💡 The division between China and Taiwan originated from the aftermath of the Chinese Civil War and the ideological confrontation of the Cold War.

🌏 After World War II, the Kuomintang government held its position in the United Nations, while the communist government of Mao was viewed as illegitimate.

🇺🇸🤝🇨🇳 The diplomatic relations between the United States and China significantly changed in 1971, leading to the recognition of the People's Republic of China as the legitimate representative of China.

🇨🇳 China considers Taiwan a rebellious province and refuses formal diplomatic relations with countries recognizing Taiwan as a sovereign state.

🇹🇼 Taiwan claims to be a sovereign state with its own Constitution, government, and military, but its international recognition is limited.

🇺🇸 The United States has been Taiwan's most important ally, ensuring the supply of arms and expressing great concern over any attack from Beijing.

🌏 Taiwan's lack of international recognition and membership in international organizations.

🤝 China's proposal for 'one country, two systems' and Taiwan's rejection of unification.

⚔️ China's 'anti-secession' law and warnings of using force if Taiwan declares independence.

Taiwan is one of the 'Asian Tigers' and has a strong economy despite diplomatic differences with China.

Taiwanese companies have invested billions in China, and there are a million Taiwanese living on the mainland.

Beijing's close commercial relations with Taiwan can be seen as a de facto renunciation of Taipei's autonomy.

The success of the tennis matches between the US and China marked the beginning of improved relations between the two countries.

Less than a year later, President Richard Nixon visited China, solidifying the diplomatic approach.

The use of table tennis as a diplomatic tool was referred to as 'ping pong diplomacy'.