<p>China has established control over Taiwan since the beginning of the Qing Dynasty. While European powers have tried to intervene and convert the Taiwanese (who by this point are largely Chinese due to immigration), they have failed in their attempts. It is true that when the Nationalist fled to Taian, both parties claimed to rule China, but both parties were under the belief that Taiwan was part of China. The only reason that the Communist party did not march into Taiwan and unite China right then and there was because of the United States's threats. As a result, Taiwan set up its own government. However, both governments (China and Taiwan) continued to believe that China and Taiwan should be united as one. It was not until recently that a pro-independent government took control of Taiwan under Chen.</p>