Republic of China

The Republic of China (ROC) was established in 1912 after the fall of the Qing Dynasty, marking the end of imperial rule in China. Initially, it governed all of China but faced civil wars and Japanese invasion. After losing the Chinese Civil War to the Communists, the ROC retreated to Taiwan in 1949, where it continued to operate as a separate government. Today, Taiwan maintains its own political system and economy, while the mainland is governed by the People's Republic of China. The status of Taiwan and its relationship with the mainland remains a complex and sensitive issue.