How did Taiwan become a democracy?

Taiwan’s defense ministry on June 22 said it had detected 41 Chinese military aircraft and seven naval vessels operating around the self-governing island within a 24-hour period. The threatening incursion came as China unveiled judicial guidelines ­outlining punishments—including the death penalty—for “die-hard” separatists advocating for Taiwan’s independence. China claims ownership of Taiwan, located about 100 miles from its coast, but the island’s recently inaugurated President Lai Ching-te calls Taiwan “a sovereign independent nation.”

What’s Taiwan’s history with China? In the late 19th century, the Qing Empire controlled Taiwan as its province until it lost the First Sino-Japanese War. Japan then ruled the island for 50 years until it surrendered at the end of World War II. The Allies placed Taiwan under the administrative control of China, which was governed by the nationalist Kuomintang (KMT) party.

How did the dispute over Taiwan’s sovereignty start? The Kuomintang led by Chiang Kai-shek fought with Mao Zedong’s Communist Party during China’s civil war, which ended in 1949 with the KMT’s defeat. Chiang and his party fled to Taiwan, where Chiang became the island’s first president, ruling it as an authoritarian state.

When did it become a democracy? Chiang appointed his son to be Taiwan’s premier in 1972. Chiang Ching-kuo allowed political reforms, enabling citizens to launch new political parties, protest on the streets, and establish a free press. In 1986, dissidents formed Taiwan’s first opposition party, the Democratic Progressive Party. The KMT ended martial law the following year, but it wasn’t until 1996 that Taiwan held its first direct presidential election.

How does China view Taiwan today? Beijing considers the island a renegade Chinese province. Chinese President Xi Jinping has repeatedly said China would pursue “reunification” with Taiwan. He has not ruled out the use of force.

How does Taiwan see itself? Most of Taiwan’s population of about 23 million identify as Taiwanese, rather than Chinese, and the island has its own constitution and currency. President Lai’s Democratic Progressive Party favors Taiwan’s current de facto independence.

How do other countries see Taiwan? Taiwan has only 12 diplomatic allies, including the Vatican. Over the years, the number of countries recognizing Taiwan as a nation has dwindled, with China luring some away using financial incentives. In January, the Pacific Island nation of Nauru became the latest to switch diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing. The United Nations expelled Taiwan in 1971 and admitted China into its membership instead.

What’s the U.S. stance toward the island? Washington revoked its diplomatic ties and mutual defense treaty with Taiwan in 1979 to establish formal diplomatic relations with China. But the U.S. Congress also passed the Taiwan Relations Act, requiring Washington to support Taiwan’s self-defense. The U.S. is Taiwan’s major arms supplier.

Is a China-Taiwan war imminent? In March, U.S. Adm. John Aquilino, then head of the Indo-Pacific Command, warned that China’s military would be ready to invade Taiwan by 2027. But a majority of the 87 Taiwanese and U.S. experts surveyed by the Center for Strategic and International Studies late last year believe China is more likely to quarantine or blockade Taiwan than invade it within the next five years.