Episode 46: Taiwan - ROC vs PRC

The Treaty of Shimonoseki in 1895 makes China cede Taiwan and the Peng-hu Islands to Japan in perpetuity. Tokyo's first attempt at colonialism is a great success as it establishes order, eradicating disease, building infrastructure, and creating a modern economy. Taiwan soon becomes the most-advanced place in East Asia outside Japan itself. Post WWII, Taiwan is handed over to China, but Chiang Kai-Shek is defeated by Mao and he flees to Taiwan and is seated in the UN Security Council as ROC (Republic of China). Chiang surrounds himself with Economists and Technocrats to build a strong Taiwan economy and his son, CCK continues the same trajectory, making Taiwan a democracy in the process. Tensions between the PRC and ROC restart after President Xi's 2017 19th Party Congress report sets a deadline for reunification by 2049, the 100th anniversary of the Communist rule in Mainland China.