republic of china: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal; Diplomatic; Academic; Historical
Quick answer
What does “republic of china” mean?
The formal official name for the state commonly known as Taiwan.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The formal official name for the state commonly known as Taiwan; historically, the name for mainland China before 1949.
In contemporary international relations, refers specifically to the government based in Taipei and the island of Taiwan, and its administered territories. In historical contexts, refers to the Chinese state that existed from 1912 to 1949 on the mainland.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal difference in the term itself. US official documents more frequently use precise phrasing like 'Taiwan, also known as the Republic of China' or refer to 'Taiwanese authorities'. UK usage, while similar, may be slightly more circumspect in diplomatic contexts.
Connotations
In both dialects, use in a non-historical context assumes knowledge of the Taiwan-China political situation. It carries strong geopolitical connotations.
Frequency
Very low frequency in everyday conversation. Exclusively high frequency in political science, history, diplomacy, and news reporting on cross-strait relations.
Grammar
How to Use “republic of china” in a Sentence
The Republic of China [verbs: governs, maintains, declares, refers to]...Discussions concerning the status of the Republic of China...A delegation from the Republic of China arrived.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “republic of china” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The territory is administered by the Republic of China.
- They were diplomatically isolated by many nations recognising the PRC instead.
American English
- The region is governed by the Republic of China.
- The US has a policy to support the self-defense capability of the ROC.
adverb
British English
- The proposal was presented Republic-of-China-first.
- (This formation is extremely rare)
American English
- He argued Republic-of-China-consciously. (Rare/constructed)
adjective
British English
- Republic of China passport
- Republic of China airspace
American English
- Republic of China nationals
- Republic of China (Taiwan) relations act
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in legal contracts, official company registrations (e.g., 'incorporated in the Republic of China'), and trade documentation originating from Taiwan.
Academic
Standard term in political science, international relations, and modern Chinese history to denote the Taiwanese state or the pre-1949 Chinese state.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation; 'Taiwan' is used exclusively.
Technical
Used in legal, diplomatic, and official governmental documents where precision and formal designation are required.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “republic of china”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “republic of china”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “republic of china”
- Using 'Republic of China' to refer to the modern mainland (PRC).
- Assuming 'Republic of China' and 'China' are synonymous in contemporary contexts.
- Capitalising incorrectly: 'republic of china' should be fully capitalised as it is a proper noun.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. In contemporary usage, 'China' typically refers to the People's Republic of China (PRC) based in Beijing. The Republic of China (ROC) is the official name of the state based in Taipei, governing Taiwan and other islands.
Following the Chinese Civil War (1927-1949), the defeated ROC government retreated to Taiwan, while the victorious Communist Party established the PRC on the mainland. Both claim to be the legitimate government of all China, leading to the ongoing political dispute.
As of 2024, only a small number of nations, mostly small island states in the Pacific and Caribbean, maintain official diplomatic relations with the ROC. Most countries recognise the PRC.
Be precise and context-specific. For post-1949 Taiwan, use 'Republic of China (ROC)' and define it early on. For historical China (1912-1949), 'Republic of China' is correct. Always clarify which entity you are referring to to avoid ambiguity.
The formal official name for the state commonly known as Taiwan.
Republic of china is usually formal; diplomatic; academic; historical in register.
Republic of china: in British English it is pronounced /rɪˌpʌblɪk əv ˈʧaɪnə/, and in American English it is pronounced /riˈpʌblɪk əv ˈʧaɪnə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Cross-strait relations (involving ROC and PRC)”
- “The Taiwan issue/Question”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Republic of China = ROC. Remember: ROC is on the island (Taiwan), PRC is on the mainland.
Conceptual Metaphor
Often conceptualised as a DEBATED ENTITY or an UNRESOLVED STATUS in geopolitical discourse.
Practice
Quiz
In a modern geopolitical context, 'Republic of China' primarily refers to: