Taiwan vs. Mainland China

The political environment is complicated by the potential for military conflict should Taiwan make overt actions toward de jure independence; it is the official PRC policy to use force to ensure reunification if peaceful reunification is no longer possible, as stated in its anti-secession law, and for this reason there are substantial military installations on the Fujian coast. However, in recent years, the PRC has moved towards promoting peaceful relations, including stronger economic ties, with the current ROC government aimed at unification through the one country, two systems formula or maintaining the status quo under the 1992 Consensus.

On 29 April 2005, Kuomintang Chairman Lien Chan travelled to Beijing and met with Communist Party of China (CPC) Secretary-General Hu Jintao, the first meeting between the leaders of the two parties since the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1949. On 11 February 2014, Mainland Affairs Council Head Wang Yu-chi travelled to Nanjing and met with Taiwan Affairs Office Head Zhang Zhijun, the first meeting between high-ranking officials from either side. Zhang paid a reciprocal visit to Taiwan and met Wang on 25 June 2014, making Zhang the first minister-level PRC official to ever visit Taiwan. On 7 November 2015, Ma Ying-jeou (in his capacity as Leader of Taiwan) and Xi Jinping (in his capacity as Leader of Mainland China) travelled to Singapore and met up, marking the highest-level exchange between the two sides since 1949.

The PRC supports a version of the One-China policy, which states that Taiwan and mainland China are both part of China, and that the PRC is the only legitimate government of China. It uses this policy to prevent the international recognition of the ROC as an independent sovereign state, meaning that Taiwan participates in international forums under the name "Chinese Taipei". With the emergence of the Taiwanese independence movement, the name "Taiwan" has been employed increasingly often on the island.

What is the difference between Mainland China and Taiwan? Come find out and make a choice as to where you'd like to travel or live...

Twitter: @serpentza
Music used: VHS Dreams - Ocean Heights

[xiangzhimeng]

When the nationalists fled to Taiwan, many Chinese citizens from all over the country went with them and they brought their recipes with them.

[cballantyne]

I'm a South African living in Taiwan, I've been here for 20 years. I just love the place and people.

[youxkio]

Portuguese living in Taiwan here for 6 years mate, thank you for the compliments, i really LOVE all this, people, country, food, transportations, everything!!!

[echostrung]

You couldn't pay me to live in China. Taiwan isn't perfect, but it's a great place. Not to mention a free democracy.

[successjeff]

Have lived in Taiwan for over 15 years. I’ve never had a problem with the food. The food here is amazing.

[paulalexander]

In Taiwan you can actually see the sky where it is blue instead of grey or not being seen at all in the cities.

[matthias]

Love Taiwan! Let's hope China is not destroying this lovely place. Go Taiwan go go go

[Miiike]

Been living in Taiwan for over 5 years and those are top things I love:
1. people are super kind and keen to help (probably the best thing about Taiwan for me)
2. super convenient country (pretty much like Japan)
3. it is very safe place to live - once i saw it ranked 2nd safest country in the world behind Japan
4. air and environment is much cleaner and healthier than in China
5. food
6. no censorship

[BeautifulThingBoutiq]

Without hesitation I would choose Taiwan over China...having been to both places, I was more skeptical while in China for scams and fraud and worrying about food quality and being treated disrespectfully; but, in Taiwan, I was worry-free, no one bothered me and I did not have to worry about food quality and did not get food poisoned. I refused to go anywhere without a company in China but felt much more at ease in Taiwan...just my 2 cents...awesome comparison.

[TheGreenmeenies]

As an American, I’ve lived in Taiwan several times, and love it for all the reasons you mentioned. Haven’t had too much experience with the mainland, but it definitely is an adventure for all the reasons you mentioned. Still, I prefer Taiwan as a place to live, and China as a place to visit. But that’s me. Stay Awesome!

[websaint]

I travel every year and I travelled around Taiwan three times in the last 5 years. one thing you have not mentioned is the local Taiwanese people. in my experience they are friendly and kind.

[sachlangjamatia]

I am addicted to democracy and freedom, I will always prefer Taiwan

[peterlindstrom]

Note also that Taiwanese people don't poop on the streets, nor cut in line. They have the good sense to look down on mainlanders for that kind of stuff.

[JimmyGoldenDollar]

Taiwan is amazing, you forgot to mention the hot springs, really loved the place.

[sophiazhu]

Objective. I am Chinese and I want to go to visit Taiwan someday. I would like to see traditional Chinese culture and Japanese influence combined together.

[huangcc]

I think your comparison between the two countries is quite accurate.
For the political part, Taiwan had been colonized by Ching Empire before 1895 and actually Ching Empire didn't have full control of all Taiwan island at that time. The sovereignty over Taiwan is never in the hand of official China government since 1895, that's already more than 120 years by now.

China government from 1912 to 1949 was named Republic of China(ROC), Taiwan was part of Japan territory during those days. Republic of China recognized the fact and they even had the embassy in Taiwan. Taiwan is no longer a part of Japan since 1952 after San Francisco Peace Treaty was taken effect.

China government from 1949 till now is People Republic of China(PRC) and Taiwan is not part of PRC from the first day of PRC till now.

Some people maybe be confused that the government of Taiwan is also called Republic of China.
It's because Chiang Kai-shek and the nationalist built an exiled government of Republic of China in Taiwan in 1949, this government was an exiled government not an official China government, I think PRC know that very well. This government evolved from dictatorship to democratic over time till now.
Taiwan government nowadays won't claim mainland as a part of ROC and most of people in Taiwan identify themselves as Taiwanese rather than Chines.
Taiwan has its own government, military, diplomacy and is an independent, democratic and free country for sure.
PRC keep claims they own Taiwan is because of they want to invade Taiwan and trying to keep foreign power from being involved.
In fact, they never rule Taiwan for any second.
Chinese people are brainwashed by PRC since childhood, most of them can't really understand the fact of the history, so don't be fooled by the Chinese propaganda.

[jimmietanner]

I lived in Taiwan, And loved the place and the people . I just dont think you can beat Taiwan .

[RealOrbit-Australia]

Taiwan is a highly developed forward thinking country with an educated workforce. China

[Valorsoul]

Great video but didn't mention pollution. China is so polluted that my expat friends left the country because it was negatively impacting their health.

[Dabayare]

They dont scam ppl as they do in China. Helping injured ppl and calling ambullance is normal unlike China.