Republic of China (DSKMT)
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Republic of China 中華民國 | |
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.svg) Coat of arms
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| Anthem: National Anthem of the Republic of China | |
| Capital | Nanjing |
| Largest city | Shanghai |
| Official languages | Standard Chinese Mongolian |
| Demonym(s) | Chinese |
| Government | Unitary Parliamentary Republic |
• Premier | Chang Wan-An |
| Area | |
• Total | 11,400,000,000 km2 (4.4×109 sq mi) (2nd) |
| Population | |
• Estimate | 1,600,000,000 |
| GDP (PPP) | 2024 estimate |
• Total | 30.41 Trillion |
| HDI (2016) | 0.901 very high |
| Currency | Chinese Yuan |
| Time zone | Nanjing Standard Time |
| Calling code | +886 |
| ISO 3166 code | CN |
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The Republic of China, shortened to just China, is a country in Asia and the 2nd largest country in the world. Centered at its capital city of Nanjing, the country is the most populated country in the world, sitting at around 1.6 billion people. Officially, the country speaks majority Standard Chinese, however Mongolian, Uyghur, Tibetan, and Manchurian are all recognized languages in China. The country has a GDP of around 30 Trillion, the largest in the world. The currency is the Chinese Yuan, and the time zone is Nanjing Standard Time. The country is a Unitary Parliamentary Republic, led by a governing coalition under the Chinese Nationalist Party, or Kuomintang, and has a unicameral legislature known as the Legislative Yuan. The current Premier of China is Chang Wan-An, who is serving his first term as Premier within the governing coalition.
The Republic of China was founded as the Xinhai Revolution led to the downfall of centuries of Chinese rule, as its founder, Sun Zhongshan, led China throughout a period of social and political change. Under Sun Zhongshan and following leadership under various politicians such as Song Qingling, Deng Yanda, Sun Ke, and Chiang Wei-Shui following the ideals of Democratic Socialism, as the country continued to democratize, and in the cold war, the country whilst being in the Non-Aligned movement, remained friendly relations with the Soviet Union, similar to India, although unlike India, also maintained friendly relations with the United States. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Republic of China and the United States would grow closer ties as the Chinese government became more moderate on economic issues, however both countries remained geopolitical rivals, as China began to grow closer ties with India and the Union of Soviet Sovereign Republics under Gorbachev.
History
The Republic of China would be founded following the Xinhai Revolution, in which Sun Zhongshan would cooperate with Yuan Shikai in order to ensure the Republic's survival. Following the Chinese legislative elections, a potential coup with the attempted assassination of Song Jiaoren by Yuan Shikai would be thwarted and Yuan Shikai would be deposed, in which Sun Zhongshan would be sworn in as both President and Premier, establishing a true democracy for the first time. Sun Zhongshan would continue maintain control over both Legislative and Executive authority until 1920, where he would restore that power to the population of China for their next elections. During this time, the KMT, the ruling party in China, had grown closer with the Soviet Union thanks to the efforts of Mikhail Borodin, however this would cause tension to rise between the Left and the Right. In the end, the Liberal faction under Sun Ke would seek to cooperate with moderate left-wing elements of the party. Sun Zhongshan after being followed by Song Jiaoren, would be followed by Song Qingling as Premier, the wife of the late president, who would undergo reforms aimed at turning China towards a path of Democratic Socialism. In this regard, she cooperated with CCP leader Chen Duxiu, which was unpopular amongst some in the CCP, leading to a split in the power. Song Qingling and her successor Deng Yanda would engage in land redistribution programs, enact healthcare and education reforms, and nationalize various industries, further socializing China's economy, and increasing the wealth of the average Chinese citizen. This period in Chinese history is widely praised, as following Song Jiaoren, the four Premiers of Song Qingling, Deng Yanda, Chiang Wei-Shui, and Sun Ke is widely referred to as the "Era of Progress", due to the four's popularity in engaging social and economic reforms. Song Qingling and Deng Yanda focused on economic reforms, although the former was also the one who championed social progress, in this regard, both enacted numerous land reform programs, were the first to implement steps heading towards universal healthcare as well as began educational reforms, as well as raised worker representation, income, and rights. Chiang Wei-Shui, the first Min Premier of the Republic, also focused on social reforms, however also was the one to bridge the gaps between China's numerous ethnic groups. His work would be finished by Sun Ke, the child of Sun Zhongshan, who would continue these social reforms. Around this time the Universal Healthcare System would be adopted in 1949. During the Second Sino-Japanese War, the Chinese Republic would perform significantly great against their Japanese counterparts, even going as far as to liberate the Korean Peninsula, before being forced to hand it over to the USSR and the USA in exchange for an occupation zone in Japan, during which the Chinese would empower the democratic marxists of Japanese Communist Party in opposition to radical Marxist-Leninism, establishing the values of Three Principles of the People in a newly formed Japanese Socialist Party.
During this time period, the Political Situation in China would emerge between the five major political parties of the Republic, those being the Kuomintang (Chinese Nationalist Party, Guomindang, 國民黨), the Zhigongdang, (Public Interest Party, 致公黨), the Qinniangdang (Young China Party, 青年黨), the Shijieshe (World Society, 世界社), and the Jinbudang (Progressive Party, 進步黨). These parties advocated for different ideas than the KMT. The Zhigongdang, founded by Chen Jiongming, was one of the earliest opposition parties to emerge in China, only rivaled by the Conservative Jinbudang. The party, whilst having similar social and economic positions as the KMT, remained in opposition in account of their support towards Chinese Federalism, as opposed to the Unitarian Government practiced by the KMT, and frequently fought the KMT over rural agrarian voters, although often times were frequently unsuccessful. The party had similar, albeit slightly more moderate positions as the KMT when it came to economics. The Jinbudang, or the Progressive Party, was contrary to the name a Conservative, Statist, Unitarian party that originally stemmed from the following of Yuan Shikai, however later abandoned following the treacherous general. Instead, they were the more radical right-wing party in contrast to the moderate YCP, and the Progressives advocated for the return of traditional Confucian structures in cooperation with an authoritarian democratic system whereby tradition and order could cooperate with democracy. The Shijieshe was formed by Cai Yuanpei, and split from the KMT a little bit after Chen Jiongming split from the the KMT. At this time period, the party was a coalition of syndicalists, anarchists, and libertarian socialists. Despite this, the party frequently collaborated with the KMT on many issues. Lastly, the Qinniandang, or the Young China Party, was formed after right-wing conservative members of the KMT left the party after it increasingly became more left-wing. The party advocates for a more Conservative approach towards the Three Principles of the People, maintaining their beliefs in welfare whilst simultaneously being strictly against socialism and communism. The Party itself consists of moderate conservatives. Minor parties such as the China Democratic League, a centrist party advocating for governmental unity and cooperation, also existed in the Legislative Yuan. The Chinese Communist Party under Chen Duxiu, which had earlier split apart with the China Marxist-Leninist Party under Mao Zedong, would also have seats in the Legislative Yuan, and would frequently cooperate with the KMT.
Later, the first KMT defeat would come in the form of the populist candidate Yan Xishan, who would change the Progressive Party, incorporating many of its political beliefs into the party and his own personal ideology. His populist rhetoric, combined with his appeal towards both socialists and conservatives, would secure an electoral victory in the Legislative Yuan, forming a coalition with the YCP and CDL. Yan Xishan's first term as premier came with great success, continuing to appeal the workers as well as further China's influence abroad. It was during his term that the Cold War would rampen up, and he was joined by the KMT in advocating for a neutral stance, simultaneously trying to improve relations with both the Soviet Union and the USA. Foreign Policy wise his positions were widely popular amongst the Chinese people in an era of geopolitical tensions. For instance, in the Korean War, he made the decision to oppose both sides in the conflict, seeing both as anti-democratic and pro-imperialist, and instead intervening in the civil war, establishing a democratic republic in the north, the Korean Federal Republic, built on the similar principles as Chinese Democracy, which would eventually reunite the Korean peninsula when the south overthrew the dictatorship. His second term however saw economic collapse, as a recession would hit the Chinese state, leading to jobs being lost and a vote of no confidence being held, eventually leading to Yan Xishan being ousted by members of his own party. Its important to note that Yan Xishan did not follow the orthodox values of his party. Instead of advocating for authoritarian measures, he remained a supporter of democracy. His ideology advocated for communism and socialism in cooperation with conservative confucian values and capitalism, and he himself was very cooperative with the KMT and agreed with many of their platforms, including foreign policy wise. Yan Xishan was overturned largely in part by his own party, who didn't see eye to eye with his views. Nevertheless, his ideology was still incredibly controversial, and many believe that his idealism brought upon economic downfall in China, however this position is largely disputed.
Power would return to the hands of the KMT, this time under Premier Jiang Jingguo, who continued economic and infrastructural reform throughout China. Jiang Jingguo's reforms felt reminiscent of the time period of the Era of Progress, however this would later become overshadowed by the issue in regards to the Vietnam War, in which during his third term tensions in Vietnam would flair up between the various factions. Up until this point, the Republic of China had largely focused on sending support to North Vietnam, who followed the ideas of Sun Zhongshan, against the Communists of Central Vietnam and the US-backed dictatorship in the South. However, the North had frequently cooperated with the Communists against the South due to the South's frequent brutal methods against its population, and both had sponsored the Vietcong forces. However, it was at this point that tensions between the Nationalist VNQDD and the Communists would flair up as both would continue fighting each other, including their sections in the Vietcong, leading to a three way civil war between the three groups. China would continue backing the VNQDD alongside various countries in the Third World Movement such as India, as well as the nation of Sweden, against the Communists and the US-backed Dictatorship. However the bloody conflict would eventually result in Chinese forces being sent into the region and a draft being proclaimed. This move, whilst supported at first, quickly became unpopular amongst the Chinese people due to the heavy losses of life amongst the Chinese forces due to guerilla warfare tactics, and although their Nationalist allies also involved themselves in guerilla warfare, the Chinese forces became more vulnerable to Communist attacks. Eventually, both groups agreed to form a United Front against the south, which was a success as it forced the USA to evacuate in the late 1960s however it eventually resulted in tensions between the two factions to flair up once again. Despite pressure from both sides of Chinese politics, Jiang Jingguo persisted, eventually leading to the Communists being forcibly pushed to the south where they once fought, before eventually being destroyed. However this only brought more issues. The VCP maintained its presence as a terrorist group, conducting attacks on Chinese and Vietnamese civilians and military forces alike. This, combined with the unpopularity of the war, eventually led to Jiang Jingguo being ousted from power by YCP leader Li Huang.
Li Huang's presidency was largely in favor of more fiscal conservative policies, however due to him being in a coalition with the ZGD, which made up a considerable part of his coalition, he was only able to rollback some of the more radical socialist policies implemented under previous regimes. Instead, he would largely focus on social issues, seeking to reintroduce traditional elements such as Confucianism back into the Chinese education system. He would reintroduce Confucian teachings to schools previously removed under the education reforms aimed at secularization, although allowed for said courses to be optional amongst students. He would also continue to bring back Chinese culture, as in the past many elements of Chinese dynasticism had been largely framed as poor via the Socialist regime, in opposition to monarchy. Instead he largely normalized and removed bias from the education system in order to allow quote, "for students to adopt the lens of history themselves", although he largely continued the notion of keeping an unfavorable biased view towards the Qing in order to continue to invoke patriotism Chinese students in favor of the Republic as opposed to the Qing Dynasty, although this time including notions that the Republic of China had won the mandate of heaven. Supporters of his premiership often state the phrase "He brought back our morals", although despite the fact that he largely continued the secular government that separated church and state. He was popular amongst Confucian and Christian conservatives within the country. Li Huang was relatively well-liked amongst his country, a well-liked moderate in the seas of left-wing and right-wing populism in the country. However, he was unpopular for decreasing welfare spending, though this unpopularity was largely negated for his role in decreasing taxes as well. Li Huang was succeeded by Chen Qiyou* of the ZGD, another moderate politician who continued the moderate image. Whilst he would rollback Li Huang's welfare deductions, his administration was largely the same as Li Huang's, continuing the image of Chinese moderatism. At this point in time, the ZGD had largely abandoned the ideals of federalism, and instead supported moderate social democracy as well as the rising Third Way Movement at the time period. Chen Qiyou however, would also restart China's interventionism, such as in the Kashmir conflict, in which China would intervene in the late 1970s in support of India after India recognized its claims. Chen Qiyou would also begin the process of the improvement of relations with India, which would be increased upon by his successors, Hu Yaobang and Xie Tao.
Chen Qiyou would be succeeded by Hu Yaobang, a self-described Liberal Socialist who would continue the KMT's path of democratic socialism. Hu Yaobang would bring back socialist policies, which had mixed, though mostly supported results. However, Hu Yaobang would also begin the process of digitizing its bureaucracy. The rise of digitalism combined with early forms of internet led to Hu Yaobang and his successor Xie Tao to begin the creation of a digital bureaucracy that would ensure effectiveness in China. This project would later turn out highly advantageous towards China in the modern era. The early digitalism reforms included plans on how to digitize the Chinese bureaucracy with its early forms of internet access. Indeed, with the Presidency of Xie Tao came continued digital advancements, in which his presidency acted early, beginning the effectiveness of the Chinese digital bureaucracy. Cooperation with new nations, such as the Republic of Estonia, which was also digitizing its country at the same time as China, led to the formation of the International Digital Association alongside Estonia and Singapore as founding members, which would continue to expand as the time went on. The Digitalization of the country would be a key aspect as how China modernized in its world, as reforms would be made to digitalize various national industries as well as the bureaucratic system of the Chinese state. Education reforms would also continue, as China, before most of the world, would have computers and digital screens in its school before other countries. China would create a digital bureaucracy to manage its national industries, and begin preparations to begin a Digital Democratic process that would be finished later. China would make efforts to ensure that a majority of people within the country would have access to the internet and digital systems, and the country would leap forward in the digital age. These efforts would be heavily popular amongst the Chinese people, as the digital bureaucracy reforms continued to make the country more efficient, with the added benefit in a deduction of taxes. This, alongside one of if the most advanced cybersecurity systems in the world allowed for the digital bureaucracy to remain safe and unaffected by any attacks, ensuring confidence in the government. Around the president of Xie Tao, the war on terror would flair up in the conflict. The Republic of China would support efforts by the United States in order to combat terrorists, however simultaneously it would also find itself in conflict via numerous left-wing terrorist groups in Asia. For instance, the conflict in regards to the Naxalites in India would flair up, whilst the VCP would cooperate with splinter groups from the CMPP to attack Chinese cities in collective attacks against China. In response, China would mobilize its forces to attack the various Communist strongholds such as Nepal, which had recently engaged in a Communist revolution and had been supporting these groups, as well as sending troops again to Vietnam, engaging in various conflicts with the Communists. Eventually, those responsible for the attacks were captured or killed by the Chinese forces, and the Chinese government would withdraw from these regions. This would also grow India and China closer together, with both founding the Shanghai Cooperation Organization which would quickly grow. Foreign policy wise, the Republic of China would also continue to attempt to cement diplomatic ties with the United States, signing the Pacific Friendship Treaty to allow for joint cooperation over the Pacific Ocean. Nevertheless, both global powers engaged in some sort of "friendly rivalry".
Upon Xie Tao's retirement in 2004, the elections of 2004 would enter a three-way race as the CCP and WS would collectively withdraw its endorsement of the KMT in exchange for nominating Populist candidate Bo Xilai against the KMT's nomination of Wang Zhongquan, believing the later to be too moderate in his positions. This, despite endorsements from the ZGD, would allow for the victory of YCP candidate Ma Ying-Jiu to secure the presidency. A notable moderate compared to Progressive endorsements, he would promote the idea of economic independence of its population from the nation's historical past of socialism, and as such wished to implement fiscal economic reforms. This however, was fiercely resisted by some within the legislature, notably the KMT, CCP, and SJS, which would in Ma Ying-Jiu's second term, would combine a candidacy of Wang Zhongquan and Bo Xilai in an attempt to defeat Wang Ying-Jiu, which was however unsuccessful. Although Ma was unsuccessful in scaling back most of the socialist economic reforms, he did succeed in repealing some. This would temporary allow for the Chinese economy to grow exponentially, however China would be hit hard by the Global Financial Crisis, which would lead to the KMT once again sweeping the election, this time under candidate Jiang Wanan. Under Jiang Wanan, his term focused on socially progressive reforms. Notably his administration was noted for his tolerance of LGBTQ people and would continue reforms aimed at protecting the LGBTQ population. This alienated him from some conservatives within his party, however Jiang Wanan strived to make the KMT more progressive, whilst simultaneously respecting Chinese traditions. Currently he remains the president of China, however in 2016, the Progressive Party had allowed for the rise of the populist candidate Guo Wengui, a right-wing populist who began to sprout populist rhetoric against immigration and other topics. He would attempt to alienate voters from the KMT by referring to them as "communist". Whilst being accused of numerous corruption charges, he is still immensely popular amongst the more conservative population of China, and has amassed a sort of cult following around himself. Whether this is enough to challenge the KMT's strong hold is the question.
Government and Politics
Politics
Main Article: Politics of the Republic of China
See also: List of Parties in the Republic of China
Legislature
Main Article: Legislature of the Republic of China
- hes canonically born and died later than irl