1. Formosa Resolution Is Signed into Law.
- Author
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Fleming, George J. and Birns, Nicholas
- Subjects
Taiwan-United States relations ,History of executive power ,China-Taiwan relations ,Formosa Resolution, 1955 ,Executive power ,Twentieth century - Abstract
In 1949, as the Communists took over mainland China at the end of the Chinese civil war, Chiang Kai-shek, president of the Republic of China, or Nationalist China, withdrew with part of his government and army to the island of Formosa and the nearby Pescadores Islands. Formosa, a Portuguese name meaning “beautiful,” was still used in the 1950’s to describe the island in the West; as Asian nomenclature began to replace colonial-era names, the island’s Chinese name, Taiwan, was used exclusively and the name Formosa passed into history. Formosa and the Pescadores had been held by the Japanese from 1895 until their return to China in 1945, at the end of World War II. Chiang claimed that his was still the legitimate government of China and announced his intention to return to the mainland and to power. His troops also held other islands off the China coast, notably Quemoy, a short distance from the port of Amoy; Matsu, off Foochow; and the Tachens, located about 200 miles to the north of Matsu.
- Published
- 2023