What is Taiwan's relationship to mainland China?
In 1949, a group of Chinese who opposed the Communist revolution on mainland China, fled to the island of Formosa and established the Republic of China, also known as Taiwan. Led by Chiang Kai-shek, the group formed the Chinese Nationalist government. The United Nations, United States, and many other countries recognized Taiwain as being the rightful government of the Chinese people.In 1971 the mainland People's Republic of China gained recognition from the international community and took over Taiwain's seat in the United Nations. Today, Taiwan lacks international recognition or a seat in the United Nations and is considered by China to be a wayward province. Thus, the status of Taiwan has yet to be resolved.
