Home: Facts About Taiwan: Is Taiwan Part of China

Is Taiwan Part of China?

The answer is a loud and clear NO!
Not anymore anyway.

Is Taiwan part of China? The following 8 indisputable facts should prove you that Taiwan is not a province or a territory that belongs to China. Sure, the island of Taiwan was once occupied and governed by China in the past and Taiwanese history was greatly influenced by its giant neighbor. But at present time, Taiwan is not part of China!

Important Notes:

Taiwan's official name is Republic of China, or R.O.C.
China's official name is People's Republic of China, or P.R.C.
China is often referred to as "The Mainland" or "Mainland China".

1- Different travel visas.

If you want to travel to Taiwan you need to apply for a Taiwanese visa at one of the trade offices located outside the island. Because of pressure from China, most countries don't allow Taiwanese embassies or consulates to be established.

You need a Chinese visa to travel to Mainland China. You cannot travel to Taiwan with a Chinese visa, or vice versa.

taiwan election

2- Different Passports

Taiwan and China have different passports. Taiwan's passport says Republic of China on the cover page. China's passport says People's Republic of China.

3- China is part of The United Nations. Taiwan isn't.

And that's very unfortunate. China has been blocking Taiwan's entry into the United Nations and other international organizations such as the World Health Organization for many, many years.

4- The Olympics: 2 countries... 2 different names

Taiwan is usually called Chinese Taipei in major sporting events and the Olympics. It's very confusing and misleading. For most people who watch those games, Chinese Taipei must obviously mean China.

taiwanese politics

5- Both countries have their own federal capitals.

China's capital is Beijing. Taiwan's capital is Taipei. Taipei has been the capital of Taiwan since 1885. Before that, Tainan was the nation's capital.

6- Taiwan and China have different money.

Taiwan's currency is called the New Taiwan Dollar. The currency code is TWD and the most common abreviation is TW$.

China's currency is called the Renminbi, which means: "people's currency". The currency code is CNY and the most common abbreviation is RMB.

7- National Sovereignty

The government of the R.O.C. has had full authority and control over the island of Taiwan since 1949, when the nationalists (KMT) escaped the mainland after being defeated by the communists. Chinese planes, ships or submarines cannot come into Taiwan's waters or airspace.

8- Taiwanese people are free. Chinese are not.

Taiwanese enjoy the same freedom found in western countries like Canada, the States or Australia. People can debate policies, vote, protest and write to newspapers or online to express their views even about the most controversial issues.

Chinese people live in a repressed society where even the most basic human rights are deprived. I'm not just echoing mainstream western media here... I'm writing about what I saw and experienced firsthand while traveling in China.

Are you still asking yourself: Is Taiwan part of China? If you are, I encourage you to read this interesting article.