Taiwan independence movement

Quick Facts: Who was Taiwan independence movement?

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Taiwan independence movement

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A political movement advocating for Taiwan to become a sovereign state separate from the PRC.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Taiwan independence movement is a political movement advocating the Taiwan Area to become a de jure sovereign state, either as the Republic of China (ROC) or the hypothetical Republic of Taiwan. While the definitions of Taiwan independence varies, their propositions generally agree on the premise that the People's Republic of China (PRC) does not hold sovereignty over the Taiwan Area. This position contrasts with support for Chinese unification under the One China stance advocated by the PRC and the Kuomintang (KMT), as well as with maintaining the status quo in cross-strait relations. Taiwan's political status is ambiguous due to two historical issues—the competing claims of the PRC and ROC to the entirety of each other's territory due to the technically ongoing Chinese Civil War, and the circumstances surrounding the Treaty of San Francisco, which relinquished Japanese control over Taiwan without officially granting sovereignty to any party. The meaning of "independence" is likewise contentious.

Career & Major Achievements

Supporters may be referring either to Taidu, the notion of formally creating an independent state called the "Republic of Taiwan" by abolishing the ROC, or to Huadu, the notion that the ROC is already an independent state synonymous with the Taiwan Area. Debates on independence are intertwined with the history of colonization of Taiwan, particularly efforts by the KMT controlled ROC to sinicize Taiwan during the martial law era in the aftermath of World War II. Regardless of Taiwan's current political status, the ROC exercises full autonomy in internal governance of the Taiwan Area and conducts official diplomatic relations with, and is recognized by, 11 member states of the United Nations and the Holy See (Vatican City). Since 2016 the government, led by the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), has asserted that formal independence is unnecessary as Taiwan is already an independent country called the Republic of China. In present-day ROC politics, the KMT and the broader Pan-Blue Coalition seek to retain the ambiguous status quo of the ROC under the 1992 Consensus (One China, but different interpretations of China) or gradually reunify with mainland China under the ROC.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

They are opposed by the DPP and the Pan-Green Coalition, which support independence and argue that unification is a threat to Taiwan's sovereignty, regionalist identity, liberal democratic system and human rights. The Pan-Green Coalition also believes distancing from the concept of "China" and "Chinese identity" is needed for Taiwan to avoid conflation with the PRC and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Within the Pan-Green Coalition, Taidu activists advocate for de-Sinicization and Taiwanization of the island and society, while the establishment favors maintaining the status quo under the Huadu position. Because the current ROC constitution includes mainland China as part of ROC territory, the process to separate Taiwan from mainland China per the ROC constitution must be initiated by one-fourth of the members of the Legislative Yuan, passed by the Legislative Yuan by a three-fourths majority with at least three-fourths of members attending, and then approved by half of all eligible voters in a referendum. The Chinese Communist Party and the People's Republic of China strongly oppose Taiwanese independence, believing that both Taiwan and mainland China are part of their territory, and regard any moves toward independence as separatism which could trigger a military response under the Anti-Secession Law.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1992: 1992 Milestone — In present-day ROC politics, the KMT and the broader Pan-Blue Coalition seek to retain the ambiguous status quo of the ROC under the 1992 Consensus (One China, but different interpretations of China) or gradually reunify with mainland China under the ROC.
2. 2016: 2016 Milestone — Since 2016 the government, led by the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), has asserted that formal independence is unnecessary as Taiwan is already an independent country called the Republic of China.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Taiwan independence movement

True or False: “The Kuomintang (KMT) retreated to Taiwan after losing the Chinese Civil War in 1949, establishing a government that ruled until Chen Shui-bian became president in 2000.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): This retreat marked a significant shift in governance, leading to decades of political development on the island.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Taiwan independence movement