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Taiwan is the common name of a State called the Republic of China (ROC). It's current territory includes not only the island of Taiwan, but also smaller island groups such as Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu, of which the latter two lie just offshore of the mainland. These territories form the remaining areas of governance of the ROC government, which retreated from the mainland in 1949, after Communist forces took control.

However, there are various uses of the name "Taiwan"

It might mean:

1. the State/Country which governs it (Republic of China)

2. the name of the individual island

3. the name of the province which the Republic of China government administers, or which is claimed by the communist mainland "People's Republic of China"

Whether Taiwan might be referred as a country or not is disputed between two main political blocs: The ruling Pan-Blue coalition lead by the Kuomintang feels that Taiwan is a territory part of the Republic of China, and claims to be the sole-legitimate government of the whole of China. However, they have increasingly used "Taiwan" to refer to the ROC, especially when dealing with foreigners.

However, the opposition Pan-Green coalition, which is lead largely by the Democratic Progressive Party, thinks that Taiwan is its own country, separate and independent of China (as least de-facto). The DPP has called for increased usage of "Taiwan", rather than "China", or "Republic of China".

The United States does not recognize that Taiwan is its own independent state and "acknowledges" that it is part of China. Before switching diplomatic ties to mainland China in 1979 under the Taiwan Relations Act (see related link), the US government recognized Taiwan as the "Republic of China"

For media outside Taiwan and mainland China, most of them remain neutral and usually refer the two sides as just "Taiwan" and "China". Referring them as the "Republic of China" and "People's Republic of China" might cause confusion among people who do not really understand the current situation.

In summary, it is really up to the opinion of people whether they consider Taiwan as an independent state or a part of China. However by it's own constitution (basic law), the Republic of China is the country, rather than "Taiwan", the island itself.

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15y ago

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