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• The Taiwanese Independence Movement seeks to officially establish the country as a sovereign Republic of Taiwan. It would do away with the current title, Republic of China (ROC). Taiwanese Independence is a popular issue in Taiwan itself, but is also hotly-debated in the international diplomatic community.

• Fast Facts

  1. Island settled by Chinese as early as the 1600s
  2. Home to indigenous tribes as well
  3. Occupied by other countries, including the Netherlands and JapanTaiwan Nation: The True History of Taiwan (July 18, 2000)
  4. Taiwan's current government is under the Republic of China (ROC)
  5. Separate from Communist China, but still not technically a sovereign state
  6. Movement supported by Taiwan's legislative Pan-Green Coalition
  7. Generally opposed by Pan-Blue Coalition

• Independence vs. Identity

  Former President Chen Shui-Bian announced plans in 2007 to rename numerous state-owned enterprises and include "Taiwan" in the name. The United States, which maintained close ties with Taiwan for years, warned that the renaming scheme would heighten political tension with the Chinese mainland. Taiwanese officials responded with a political distinction: official actions towards Taiwanese independence—which would understandably incite Chinese displeasure—are different from mere expressions of Taiwanese identity.Taipei Times: Name changes reflect increasing 'Taiwan identity' (February 12, 2007)

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Taiwan Election | Ma Ying-Jeou | China | United States | Japan | Taiwan

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