After being ruled by mainland Chinese dynasties for more than 400 years, Taiwan was invaded alternately by the Dutch and Spaniards during the 17th century. By the end of the century, however, it had reverted to Chinese rule.
In 1895, after China lost the Sino-Japanese war, Taiwan was ceded to Japan. The Japanese ruled the island for 50 years, until the end of World War II.
Following the Communist takeover of the mainland in 1949, Chinese Nationalist leader Chiang Kai-shek transplanted his government to Taiwan's capital, Taipei. Chiang's Nationalist Party, known as the Kuomingtang, or KMT, continued to insist it was the legitimate government of all of China.
The Cold War spurred the United States to support Taiwan's fiercely anti-Communist government, which billed itself as "Free China." The US and Taiwan signed a mutual security pact in 1954.
In 1958, China launched an extensive artillery barrage against Quemoy and Matsu, two small islands controlled by Taiwan, close to the mainland. Taiwan's forces withstood the attack.
In 1971, Taiwan -- known as the Republic of China -- lost its seat in the United Nations to the mainland government, the People's Republic of China. It became increasingly isolated diplomatically. In 1979, the United States became the last major country to switch its recognition to Beijing. By 1997, only a handful of countries have diplomatic relations with Taipei. Both Taipei and Beijing insist that a country may only recognize one Chinese government.
Chiang Kai-shek died in 1975 and was succeeded by his vice president, Yen Chia-kan. Real power and control over Taiwan's government remained with the late leader's son, Chiang Ching-kuo, who was formally elected president in 1978 and again in 1984.
Chiang Ching-kuo's successor, Lee Teng-hui, continued the process by lifting a 43-year state of emergency and technically ending four decades of unwaged "civil war" against the mainland.
Leaders from the mainland and the island held their first high-level talks in 1993, but relations have remained rocky as Taiwan seeks to forge its own identity and gain worldwide political acceptance.
Lee Teng-hui has been forced to walk a fine line between those who want complete independence from the mainland and those who seek reunification.
Discussion of Taiwan independence -- once considered an act of treason -- is now allowed, but it remains controversial. Taiwanese are more inclined to support such a move than are the mainlanders. But even many Taiwanese feel that the status quo is the safest course for the near future.
Mao Tse-tung, the leader of the revolution that pushed Chiang Kai-shek onto the island, from the start made no effort to hide his desire to bring the island back under the fold, saying at one point that he was willing to wait 100 years to do so.
In March 1996, China was again acting aggressively toward Taiwan. China fired four M-9 missiles into the waters as close as 20 miles from Taiwan's shoreline. China also conducted live-fire and amphibious exercises in large sea areas bordering the middle line of the Formosa Strait and as close as 10 miles from the offshore islets controlled by Taiwan. This was done in an effort to discourage millions of anxious Taiwanese from voting for candidates in the March 23 presidential election who favor Taiwan's independence from China. Beijing's leaders may be hell-bent on a long-term policy to create upheaval within Taiwan, bringing the economy to near-collapse.
Chinese Premier Li Peng has said that no matter what the outcome of the election, the island's voters "cannot change the fact that Taiwan is a part of China and its leaders are only leaders of a region of China." One Chinese Politburo member has reportedly stated that China would not hesitate to "shed blood" if Taiwan were to declare independence.
Barnathan, Joyce, "Taiwan Under Seige." Business Week, March 25, 1996, p.52-54
Baum, Julian, "Ancient Fears." Far Eastern Economic Review, December 3, 1992, p.8-10
Pao-min, Chang, "The Dynamics of Taiwan's Democratization and Crisis in the Taiwan Strait." Contemporary Southeast Asia, June 1996, p.1-16
"Taiwan: In China's Shadow and in international spotlight." CNN Interactive, March 18, 1996, http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/9603/china_taiwan/07/background/index.html