Taiwan must protect its sovereignty, know its own history, says President

Context:

Taiwan must protect its sovereignty and know its own culture and history, President Lai Ching-te(Democratic Progressive Party-DPP) said on Sunday, rejecting what he said was the previous mistaken belief the island could serve as a base to “retake” China.

Historical Context:

Ø Taiwan came under Chinese control during the Qing dynasty but was given to Japan after China lost the first Sino-Japanese war in 1895.

Ø China regained control of Taiwan in 1945 after Japan lost World War II, but the civil war between the nationalists and communists led to the nationalists fleeing to Taiwan in 1949.

Ø The roots of the Taiwan issue go back to the Chinese Civil War (1927-1950) between the Nationalist Party (Kuomintang) and the Communist Party of China (CPC).

Ø After the Communist victory in 1949, the Nationalist government retreated to Taiwan, establishing the Republic of China (ROC) there, while the CPC proclaimed the People's Republic of China (PRC) on the mainland.

International Recognition:

Most countries, including the United States, recognize the PRC as the legitimate government of China and acknowledge the One-China Policy.

However, they maintain unofficial relations with Taiwan, often in the form of economic and cultural ties, without officially recognizing Taiwan's sovereignty.

Taiwan's Identity:

Taiwan has developed its own separate identity over the decades, with its own government, constitution, and democratic system. Many Taiwanese people identify as Taiwanese rather than Chinese.