The Republic of China, popularly referred to as Taiwan, is an Eastern Asian nation situated on islands bordering the East China Sea, Philippine Sea, South China Sea and Taiwan Strait, north of the Philippines, off the southeastern coast of mainland China. It occupies an island formerly known as Formosa. The Republic of Taiwan is a multiparty democratic regime. While the President and Vice President are Head of State, the Head of Government is the Premier and Vice Premier of the Republic of China, also referred to as the President and Vice President of the Executive Yuan, the cabinet. The Executive Yuan is appointed by the President. Parliamentary duties are the responsibility of the unicameral Legislative Yuan. A separate National Assembly consisting of 300 seats is a nonstanding body and is called into session only when needed to consider constitutional referenda and crisis management.
The Republic of China is embroiled in a multigenerational dispute as to its relationship with the mainland Chinese government in Beijing. Beijing recognizes a Province of Taiwan, not the Republic of China administered in Taipei. The Republic of China seeks official separation from Beijing, a Declaration of Independence followed by international recognition of two separate Chinas. Beijing has vowed to invade the Republic of China upon Declaration of Independence. Beijing currently has nuclear and conventional missiles aimed at Taipei. The United States and the United Nations does not officially recognize the Republic of China.
