Relations between China and Taiwan, complicated since their de facto separation in 1949, are a source of recurring tension between Washington D Beijing, which intensified with the visit of US House President Nancy Pelosi to Taipei.
These are the main stages of the relationship between autonomous island and Chinese.
Separation
On October 1, 1949, Communist leader Mao Zedong proclaimed Beijing the founding of the People’s Republic of China after defeating the Nationalists in a four-year civil war that erupted after World War II.
Nationalist Kuomintang troops led by Chiang Kai-shek (1887-1975) retreat to Taiwan and form a government on December 7, which is considered a continuation of the Republic of China, founded after the fall of the Empire in 1911.
Nationalists forbid any relationship with China continental.
In December, the first in a series of attempts by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) China capture the islands of Quemoy and Matsu.
Taiwan became an ally in 1950 USAthen in the war against China In Korea.
Representation at the UN attributed to Beijing
On October 5, 1971, China replaced Taiwan with UN.
In 1979, the US breaks diplomatic relations with Taiwan and recognizes Beijing, but the US Congress continues to supply weapons to Taiwan for self-defense.
The United States and almost the entire international community has a “one China” policy that excludes diplomatic relations with the Nationalist-ruled island.
However, Washington continues to be Taiwan’s main ally and its main supplier of military equipment.
anti-secession law
In 1987, Taiwan allowed travel to mainland China for family reunions, thus paving the way for commercial exchanges.
In 1991, Taipei cancels the provisions establishing a state of war with China.
But in 1995, China canceled normalization talks in protest of Taiwanese President Lee Teng-hui’s trip to the United States.
In 1996, China launches missiles off the Taiwanese coast shortly before the first presidential election by popular vote, on March 23 in Taiwan.
March 14, 2005 China passes anti-secession law providing for “non-peaceful” measures in the event of Taiwan’s independence.
unpublished dialogue
In 2008, China and Taiwan resume their dialogue, which was interrupted in 1995.
In 2010, they signed a framework agreement on economic cooperation, and four years later they established an intergovernmental dialogue.
On November 7, 2015, the presidents of China and Taiwan meet in Singapore, which is unheard of since the 1949 separation.
tension
In 2016, Tsai Ing-wen, who left the Independence Party, becomes the President of Taiwan.
In 2017, Donald Trump authorized a major US arms sale to Taiwan. The following year, the US passes a law strengthening relations with Taiwan.
pressure
In 2019, Chinese President Xi Jinping says he will not give up force to retake Taiwan and warns Washington of the risk of “playing with fire” after a new arms sale to the island.
In January 2020, the re-elected Tsai Ing-wen states that Taiwan is “one country”.
In October, Xi Jinping asks the army to “prepare for war.”
record raids
On April 12, 2021, Chinese warplanes infiltrated the Taiwan Air Defense Identification Zone (Adiz). From January to early October, more than 600 Chinese aircraft were found in the area.
On October 22, US President Joe Biden confirmed that his country is ready to defend Taiwan by military means in the event of a Chinese attack.
On the 27th, China rejected a US offer to grant Taiwan a “significant participation” in the UN.
The President of Taiwan acknowledges the presence of US troops on Taiwanese soil.
Pelosi Tour
On July 28, Xi tells Biden by phone not to “play with fire” and warns of the “consequences” that Pelosi’s visit to the island could have.
On August 1 and 2, tensions escalate. China warns that the United States will “pay the price” if a lawmaker sets foot on Taiwan. The White House insists that “it has visiting rights.”
AFP
Source: RPP
I’m Liza Grey, an experienced news writer and author at the Buna Times. I specialize in writing about economic issues, with a focus on uncovering stories that have a positive impact on society. With over seven years of experience in the news industry, I am highly knowledgeable about current events and the ways in which they affect our daily lives.