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Why China Claims Taiwan

No wonder the Portuguese who reached Taiwan in 1590
called it "Ilha Formosa"--Beautiful Island

Is Taiwan really part of China? It depends whom you ask. Those who say "yes" have political reality and a billion Chinese on their side. Those who say "no" have economic reality, a different view of history, and millions of Taiwanese voters on theirs.

The People's Republic of China (PRC) certainly thinks Taiwan is part of China. Beijing has threatened to invade the island if it ever declares independence--even though the United States has long implied that it wouldn't stand idly by. As far as the PRC is concerned, Taiwan is a renegade Chinese province controlled by an illegitimate government.

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World Tour