In the 1980s, relations began to improve as Taiwan relaxed its visit and investment rules for mainland China. In 1991, the Republic of China declared the war with the People’s Republic of China over.
China has proposed a so-called “one country, two systems” option, saying it would give Taiwan significant autonomy if it agreed to accept control from Beijing.
The system underpinned Hong Kong’s return to China in 1997 and underpinned the way Hong Kong was governed until recently as Beijing sought to increase its influence.
Taiwan rejected the offer, leading Beijing to insist that Taiwan’s Republic of China government is illegitimate, but unofficial representatives from China and Taiwan have held limited talks.
Then in 2000, Taiwan elected Chen Shui-bian as president, alarming Beijing.
Chen and his party, the Democratic Progressive Party, have publicly supported Taiwan’s “independence.”
One year after Chen Shui-bian was re-elected in 2004, China passed the so-called “Anti-Secession Law”, declaring that if Taiwan attempts to “split” China, China has the right to use “non-peaceful means” against Taiwan.
Chen was later succeeded by the Kuomintang, which advocated closer ties with the People’s Republic of China.
In 2016, Tsai Ing-wen, Member of the Democratic Progressive Party, elected president. Under her leadership, cross-strait relations deteriorated. After Tsai Ing-wen took office, China also severed official ties with Taiwan, saying it was because she refused to endorse the concept of a single Chinese nation.
Tsai Ing-wen has never stated that she will officially declare Taiwan’s independence, insisting that Taiwan is already independent.
