Mr. Weiss

China and Taiwan

ChinaChina

TaiwanTaiwan

Mr. Weiss

China and Taiwan

ChinaChina

TaiwanTaiwan

Mr. Weiss

China and Taiwan

The tensions between China and Taiwan find their The tensions between China and Taiwan find their roots in the 1949 Chinese revolution, when roots in the 1949 Chinese revolution, when communists led by Chairman Mao claimed control of communists led by Chairman Mao claimed control of the mainland.the mainland.

During the 1960s some native Taiwanese, upset by During the 1960s some native Taiwanese, upset by the rule of the mainland minority, began to call for the rule of the mainland minority, began to call for independence from China. It was during this time independence from China. It was during this time that focus shifted from reclaiming the mainland to that focus shifted from reclaiming the mainland to developing the island itself.developing the island itself.

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Mr. Weiss

China and Taiwan

But it was also during this period that the U.S. and But it was also during this period that the U.S. and other countries began improving relations with other countries began improving relations with China as a way to prevent Soviet expansionism. In China as a way to prevent Soviet expansionism. In 1971, the United Nations expelled Taipei's 1971, the United Nations expelled Taipei's nationalist government in favor of Beijing's. Eight nationalist government in favor of Beijing's. Eight years later, the United States formally recognized years later, the United States formally recognized the People's Republic of China, severing official the People's Republic of China, severing official diplomatic relations with Taiwan, now under the diplomatic relations with Taiwan, now under the rule of Chiang's son, Chiang Ching-kuo. rule of Chiang's son, Chiang Ching-kuo.

Mr. Weiss

China and Taiwan

In 1999, President Lee announced that Taiwan In 1999, President Lee announced that Taiwan enjoyed a "special state-to-state relationship" with enjoyed a "special state-to-state relationship" with China. This statement of implied state sovereignty China. This statement of implied state sovereignty angered Beijing. Taipei backed away from the angered Beijing. Taipei backed away from the position, but talks between the two leaderships position, but talks between the two leaderships were cut off.were cut off.

Mr. Weiss

China and Taiwan

China-Taiwan relations become bearableChina-Taiwan relations become bearableUpdated 1/26/2009 3:05 PM Updated 1/26/2009 3:05 PM || 

Tuan Tuan and Yuan Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan settle in at their Yuan settle in at their new home at the Taipei new home at the Taipei Zoo. The giant pandas, a Zoo. The giant pandas, a gift to Taiwan from gift to Taiwan from China, have names that China, have names that combine to spell combine to spell "reunion.""reunion."

By Calum MacLeod, USA TODAYBy Calum MacLeod, USA TODAYBEIJING — A pair of pandas at the Taipei Zoo BEIJING — A pair of pandas at the Taipei Zoo go on public display for the first time today to go on public display for the first time today to celebrate the Chinese New Year. And they're celebrate the Chinese New Year. And they're the cuddliest sign of warmer diplomatic ties the cuddliest sign of warmer diplomatic ties between China and Taiwan.between China and Taiwan.The pandas were a gift from China and have The pandas were a gift from China and have names that combine to spell "reunion." They names that combine to spell "reunion." They were a symbolic gesture to Taiwan's president, were a symbolic gesture to Taiwan's president, who was elected last year urging more who was elected last year urging more economic ties while promising not to push economic ties while promising not to push independence for the self-ruled island.independence for the self-ruled island.