Mr. Weiss China and Taiwan China Taiwan

Mr. Weiss China and Taiwan China Taiwan

Mr. Weiss China and Taiwan The tensions between China and Taiwan find their roots in the 1949 Chinese revolution, when communists led by Chairman Mao claimed control of the mainland. During the 1960s some native Taiwanese, upset by the rule of the mainland minority, began to call for independence from China. It was during this time that focus shifted from reclaiming the mainland to developing the island itself. Copyright ©2005 MacNeil/Lehrer Productions. All Rights Reserved.

Mr. Weiss China and Taiwan But it was also during this period that the U.S. and other countries began improving relations with China as a way to prevent Soviet expansionism. In 1971, the United Nations expelled Taipei's nationalist government in favor of Beijing's. Eight years later, the United States formally recognized the People's Republic of China, severing official diplomatic relations with Taiwan, now under the rule of Chiang's son, Chiang Ching-kuo.

Mr. Weiss China and Taiwan In 1999, President Lee announced that Taiwan enjoyed a "special state-to-state relationship" with China. This statement of implied state sovereignty angered Beijing. Taipei backed away from the position, but talks between the two leaderships were cut off.

Mr. Weiss China and Taiwan China-Taiwan relations become bearable Updated 1/26/2009 3:05 PM | Updated 1/26/2009 3:05 PM | Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan settle in at their new home at the Taipei Zoo. The giant pandas, a gift to Taiwan from China, have names that combine to spell "reunion." By Calum MacLeod, USA TODAY Calum MacLeodCalum MacLeod BEIJING — A pair of pandas at the Taipei Zoo go on public display for the first time today to celebrate the Chinese New Year. And they're the cuddliest sign of warmer diplomatic ties between China and Taiwan. The pandas were a gift from China and have names that combine to spell "reunion." They were a symbolic gesture to Taiwan's president, who was elected last year urging more economic ties while promising not to push independence for the self-ruled island.