 | |
 Taiwan |
 United States |
|---|---|
| Diplomatic mission | |
| Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States | American Institute in Taiwan |
| Envoy | |
| Representative Hsiao Bi-khim | Director Sandra Oudkirk |
Bilateral relations between the United States and the island of Taiwan have evolved over time. During the period of Japanese rule of the island, the relations were subject to those between the United States and Japan. After the 1945 surrender of Japan, Taiwan was returned to the Republic of China (ROC), a strong ally of the United States. In 1949, the Nationalist government of the Republic of China retreated to Taiwan following the loss of the Chinese Civil War in mainland China to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The CCP proclaimed the People's Republic of China (PRC) on the mainland, claiming Taiwan as one of its provinces. The United States continued recognition of the ROC on Taiwan as the sole legitimate government of the whole of China until 1979, when it switched its recognition of "China" from the ROC to the PRC, establishing its official relations with the PRC.
History edit
Background edit
Mutual recognition between the United States and Chinese Qing dynasty came in 1844. Consular representatives and diplomatic relations were established in the same year. Following the 1911 Revolution in China, the United States recognized the Nationalist government of the Republic of China in 1928.[1]