The Republic of China (traditional Chinese: 中華民國; simplified Chinese: 中华民国; pinyin: Zhōnghuá Mínguó), was a country in East Asia that governed all of China before. The People's Republic of China (PRC) is located to the northwest; Japan is to the northeast; the Philippines is to the south. The Chinese Nationalists lost the Chinese Civil War to the Communists in 1949 and moved the government of the Republic of China from Nanjing to Taipei. Constitutionally, it still claims the ownership of all of China, including Mainland China, Hainan and several off-shore islands, Taiwan, Mongolia, northern Myanmar (Burma), and Tuva (now Russian territory), as part of the ROC, however this is rarely noted in recent years.
Republic of China | country in East Asia
Country name
The official name is still the Republic of China, but the name Taiwan is commonly used both inside and outside the country, with increasing emphasis on Taiwanese autonomy. Government agencies now also use the name Taiwan in texts addressed to international audiences, along with auxiliary constructions such as Republic of China on Taiwan or Republic of China (Taiwan), to reflect this development. Manufactured items also bear designations such as "Made in Taiwan, R.O.C." (R.O.C.: Republic of China) or "Made in Taiwan".
The unresolved Taiwan conflict makes it difficult for the Republic of China on Taiwan to join international organizations and participate in international events, regardless of whether Republic of China or Taiwan is used as the country name. In recent decades, therefore, other terms have emerged to circumvent this problem. In particular, Chinese Taipei became widespread, under which the Republic of China joined the International Olympic Committee in 1979 and participates in Olympic Games. Other international organizations, especially - but not only - in the field of sports, have adopted this arrangement.
Citizens of Taiwan are Taiwanese. Equally established is the term Taiwanese. Accordingly, matters concerning Taiwan are referred to as Taiwanese or Taiwanese.
Geography
→ Main article: Geography of the island of Taiwan
Since 1949, the administrative territory of the Republic of China has covered a total area of 36,179 km², which is roughly the size of Baden-Württemberg.
The main part is the island of Taiwan in the western Pacific Ocean with an area of 35,801 km². Other areas are:
- the archipelago of the Pescadores (Penghu),
- the Matsu Islands
- the island of Quemoy (Kinmen) with the islands of Großqiu and Kleinqiu,
- as well as some other small islands.
Adjacent or touched territories are Japan (Ryūkyū Islands) to the north and east, the People's Republic of China to the west, and the Philippines to the south.
The island of Taiwan is divided into two major landscapes:
The western part along the coast (about a quarter of the country) is lowland. This coastal plain is between 8 and 40 km wide.
Three quarters of the country's surface area is occupied in the centre and east by three almost parallel, forested high mountain ranges of volcanic origin with heights of up to almost 4,000 metres (62 peaks are over 3,000 metres high); in the southwest, mountain foothills reach as far as the South China Sea.
Questions and Answers
Q: What is the Republic of China?
A: The Republic of China (ROC) was a country in East Asia that governed all of China before the People's Republic of China (PRC).
Q: Where is the PRC located?
A: The PRC is located to the northwest of the ROC.
Q: Where did the Chinese Nationalists move their government after losing the Chinese Civil War?
A: After losing the Chinese Civil War to the Communists in 1949, they moved their government from Nanjing to Taipei.
Q: Does Constitutionally, does it still claim ownership over all of China?
A: Yes, Constitutionally, it still claims ownership over all of China including Mainland China, Hainan and several off-shore islands, Taiwan, Mongolia, northern Myanmar (Burma), and Tuva (now Russian territory).
Q: Is this claim rarely noted in recent years?
A: Yes, this claim is rarely noted in recent years.
Q: What countries are northeast and south of ROC?
A: Japan is northeast while Philippines is south of ROC.