Wikipedia:Today's featured article/December 11, 2004

The National Flag of the Republic of China is a well-known symbol of the Republic of China (ROC), which since 1949 has been based on Taiwan. It is commonly referred to in Chinese as Blue Sky, White Sun, and a Wholly Red Earth to reflect its physical appearance. This design was first used in China by the Nationalist Party of China in 1917 and made the official flag of the ROC in 1928. The current use of the flag is controversial due to the contentious political status of Taiwan. Its use is opposed by the People's Republic of China (PRC) because it suggests the continued existence of the ROC, which the PRC regards as defunct and to have been succeeded by the PRC in the Communist revolution. Within Taiwan, the flag is embraced as a symbol by Chinese reunification supporters as a historical link with mainland China and shunned by Taiwan independence supporters for mainly the same reasons. Though it is commonly known in English as the flag of Taiwan (as the ROC is often referred to as "Taiwan"), this term is not commonly used in Chinese as some of the current symbolism and controversy can only be understood if one realizes that it is not officially the "flag of Taiwan" but of a Republic that only acquired Taiwan in 1945 and moved its government there in 1949. (more...)

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