Chine – Taïwan
Why is the Popular Republic of China claiming sovereignty over Taiwan ?
From 1911 to 1949 not only had China to get rid of the control of foreign countries, such as the UK or Japan, but also, it went thtough the invasion of a part of its territory by Japan, WW2 and a long and murderous civil war.
The roots of the civil war have to be found in the early 20th century with the May 4th movement, which demanded freedom and independance for China, but also the modernisation of the country. The movement soon was separated between two political currents, the nationalist Guomindang and the chinese communist party.
In 1923 they decided to unite, to fight against foreign infuences, and with the support of the USSR, but, in 1927, the Goumindang ‘s leader Jiang Jieshi, aka Chang Kai-chek, decided to step back and organised a raid against communists, killing 5000 of them in Shanghai, and even more in the country.
Jiang Jieshi established his government in Nankin, but it was a weak and corrupt regime. Meanwhile, in the rest of the country, the CCP ( chinese communist party)and its leader, mao Zedong kept fighting against the Guomindang.
In 1935 they agreed to unite again, against the japanese invasion, but right after the victory of the Allies, they went back to their former division, and retarted the civil war. Even though the <USA were supporting the Guomindang, the CCP eventualy won, and october 1st 1949, mao Zedong proclaimed the Popular Republic of Chian. Helped by the USA, Chang Kai-chek and two millions of his supporters fled to Taiwan, which was to be recognised by the legitimate China by western countries until 1971 and therefore had a siege in the UNO’s security council. Since 1949, the PCR consider Taiwan as a part of the country and reclaims sovereignty on it.
Questions
1) The roots of the chinese civil war are :
a) Jiang Jieshi and Chang Kai-chek disagreed on political issues.
b) There were two opposite parties, the Guomondang and the CCP.
c) The may 4th movement wanted to get rid of foreign influences in China.
d) Jiang Jieshi was an ally to Japan.
2) Why is the PCR claiming sovereignty over Taiwan ?
a) Because China won WW2 against them.
b) Because they consider it part of the PCR.
c) Because they took it from Japan during WW2.
d) Because the CCP won the civil war.
Correction
1
a) Wrong, this is the same person.
b) Right
c)Right
d) Wrong, his party fought against Japan.
2)
a)Wrong, Taiwan was part of China during WW2
b) Right.
c) Wrong
d)Right.
