China, US and the fight for Taiwan
The Real Story
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The US's Close Relationship With Taiwan
Taiwan was ruled by China for over 200 years until the 1890s when it was ceded to Japan. It reverted to Chinese control after Japanese defeat in World War II and after a bitter civil war which followed, the Communists took over mainland China. The defeated nationalists led by Shanghai Shek retreated to Taiwan but democracy didn't come until several decades later. In 1954, the US signed a defence treaty with Taiwan; there were even nuclear weapons stationed on the island. U.S troops stayed until the late 1970s before Carter administration ended military ties. Since that time, the US has maintained under the auspices of the Taiwan Relations Act a unique relationship where we remain committed to providing defensive weapons.
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