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Ever since the end of the Chinese Civil War, the People's Republic of China has been trying to absorb the island of Taiwan into their communist country. While at the moment Taiwan is considered by the UN to be part of China, they have, in no way allowed themselves to be overthrown by the socialist giant.

The struggle to remain a democratic society has not been an easy fight for the tiny island. They have had to contend with a complete Chinese takeover, a lack of recognition by the United Nations, and flip-flopping support from other major world powers. In 1949 Taiwan saw a mass exodus of Chinese nationalists fleeing to their country. After losing the civil war Chiang Kai-shek fled to Taiwan along with two million of his supporters. The native Taiwanese were not happy with this and to suppress their resistance Kai-shek declared martial law. During this period of time they saw their liberties taken away and thousands of resistors were executed. This went on until a year before Kai-shek's death 38 years later. Soon after the death of their oppressor Taiwan began its transformation back into a democratic society.

When the Taiwanese made it clear that they intended to hold democratic elections China made a series of threats. They tested missiles near the island and made it known that if their Chinese nationalist candidate was not elected this would mean war. Their threats had no effect on the votes. The nationalist candidate came in last place and Taiwan had chosen the democratic party to lead them.

China was content for a time to let the country govern itself but soon Taiwan began campaigning for total independence and this did not sit well with the Chinese government. Taiwan made several applications to join the UN under the name of the Republic of Taiwan, instead of the Republic of China. At the same time they conducted military exercises to show they would not follow suit with Hong Kong who had recently joined China without resistance. As much as they tried, China could not keep the little island quiet.

Although their requests to the UN have been denied and they haven't been campaigning as much for independence in recent years, they have made it clear that they never intend to be oppressed by the Communist Party of China. Taiwan continues to be a democratic splinter in the flesh of the communist bully.

Learn more about this author, Nicole Parris.
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