Have you ever wondered why Taiwan is called Chinese Taipei? It can be quite confusing, as Taiwan is its own independent country and has its own government and currency.
So why do some countries refer to it as Chinese Taipei? Understanding the answer to this question can help you better understand the complicated relationship Taiwan has with China. In this article, we’ll look at the history of how the name Chinese Taipei came to be, and why the two countries are so closely linked.
Keep reading and you’ll have a better understanding of why Taiwan is sometimes referred to as Chinese Taipei.
Why is Taiwan Called Chinese Taipei?
Taiwan is an East Asian island country and is officially known as the Republic of China (ROC).However, for a number of political and historical reasons, it is referred to as ‘Chinese Taipei’ in many international and regional forums. The main reason for the name is the complex political status of the island nation, which is an unresolved issue between mainland China and Taiwan.
History of Taiwan and Its Status
Taiwan was colonized by the Dutch in the early 1600s and the Spaniards in the mid-1700s.In 1895, the island was ceded to Japan by the Qing dynasty China in the Treaty of Shimonoseki. After the end of World War 2, the island reverted to China under the terms of the 1951 San Francisco Peace Treaty.
Following the defeat of the Chinese Nationalists in a civil war against the Communist forces in 1949, the Nationalists fled to Taiwan, where they had established a rival government. This government was later called the Republic of China (ROC).
The One China Policy and the Conflict Over the Name ‘Taiwan’
In 1971, the People’s Republic of China (PRC), which was founded by the Communist forces, was granted the United Nations seat from China, by the United Nations.This was based on the policy of One China, as declared by the PRC. According to this policy, both the PRC and the ROC are part of the same ‘China’, and Taiwan would be referred to as a part of the PRC. Taiwan, however, rejects this stance, and maintains that it is an independent state.
In light of this disagreement, the use of the name ‘Taiwan’ for ROC is disputed, and it is seen as potentially controversial in an international setting. To make matters easier, a more neutral name is generally used when it comes to international events, organizations and diplomatic relations.