[mrtron]

Here is my perspective on Taiwan grossly simplified.

A bunch of Han Chinese moved to the island. The Dutch established a small colony there. Japan took over. Post-WW2 they were given independence from Japan. The pre-communist leader of China moved to Taiwan and took over politically. The KMT party ruled until recently, when Taiwan peacefully transitioned to a democracy and now has two main parties.

There is nothing in Taiwan under Chinese control. They have their own government, constitution, military, their own passports that are recognized worldwide, etc. However, there is a looming threat that China will attempt to take over which drives mandatory military service, and tight relations with the US.

[blasdel]

You don't understand the problem at all.

Both PRC and ROC say that Taiwan is entirely under Chinese control, that there's only one China, and that they govern all of its territory.

[marshray]

But it's an interesting question how much of that is really a facade and how much it's relevant.

Obviously, Taiwan has no plans to reconquer the mainland any time soon. However, PRC China threatens that if Taiwan formally declares independence it's back to a shooting war.

So yes, Taiwan still maintains governors for the areas of the mainland (last I heard they're all very old as they obviously are not standing for reelection back in their home district). This surprises people when they first learn of it.

It seems to a lot of outsiders like it is more about preserving the very carefully kept status quo than it is about a serious territorial claim.

But I don't really know that much about it. This topic tends to bring out strong opinions in people on one side or the other and I haven't come across many people who do know both sides who will chat freely.

[mrtron]

That is oversimplified to the point of inaccuracy.

Taiwan is a democracy, and one of the major parties firmly opposes any concept of Chinese rule and seeks recognition of Taiwan. The other party leans towards being the sole leader of all of China. However in practice (being currently elected) they just improve economic ties with China while opposing unification or formal recognition of Taiwan.

The PRC sees Taiwan as a province of China that they should rule, as you mentioned.

[est]

> The PRC sees Taiwan as a province of China

FYI the ROC also sees Taiwan as a province of China. There is another province called FuJian province, ROC.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fujian_Province,_Republic_of_Ch...