December 8, 1949

China’s last dynasty was the Qing Dynasty. It was overthrown in 1911 by a coalition of nationalist forces that established the Republic of China. 

From 1927 to 1937 the Nationalists fought a civil war with the Chinese Communist Party for control of the country. The conflict was mostly put on hold in order to defend against a Japanese invasion that lasted from 1937-45. After Japan’s defeat by the “Allied Powers” in World War 2, the civil war resumed. By 1948, it became clear the Communists had gained the advantage and the Nationalists began a systematic retreat to the island of Taiwan. 

Chiang Kai-shek, first president of the Republic of China/Taiwain. Public Domain. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Chiang_Kai-shek%EF%BC%88%E8%94%A3%E4%B8%AD%E6%AD%A3%EF%BC%89_%289to12%29.jpg

On December 8, 1949 the Nationalists officially moved their capital to Taipei, Taiwan. 1.2 million Chinese people fled the mainland to join them throughout the following year. The country was ruled under martial law until 1987.

Taiwan has a long history of invasion featuring the Dutch, the Portuguese, The Chinese, the Japanese, and others. The Taiwanese government currently recognizes 16 indigenous peoples as the original inhabitants of the island. A number of other peoples continue to struggle for official recognition. 

Sources:

History- Tawain.gov

The Great Retreat- Taipei Times

Indigenous Peoples in Taiwan- IWGIA

As Taiwan Embraces its Indigenous people, it rebuffs China- CNN

November 3, 1839

W. & A. K. Johnston Limited. “Map of the Macao - Bocca Tigris - Canton approach, Pearl River delta. Cropped and modified.” 1910. Public Domain. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:The_Macao_-_Bocca_Tigris_-_Canton_approach.jpg

In 1839, after decades of debate over how to respond to opium use and trade in their country, Chinese officials and Emperor Qing decided to step up enforcement of the ban on opium production and importation that had been passed in 1800. Imperial Commissioner Lin Zexu oversaw the destruction of over 20,000 chests of opium, mostly confiscated from British merchants like the East India Company.

Calls for war from merchants in Britain and its colonies increased as profits declined. On November 3, 1839 several British merchant ships feuded over the proper trade protocols, began firing on each other, and drew in Chinese warships seeking to reestablish order in their waters. The resulting battle (The First Battle of Chuenpi/Chuanbi) claimed the lives of 15 Chinese sailors and kicked off the first Opium War which would result in China ceding the island of Hong Kong to Britain.

My best guess of where Chuenpi Island is as of 2023. Not sure.

A few hours of trying to find a straight answer online about Chuenpi/Chuanbi island was not successful. You may have better luck. The screenshot of the google-map above is just my best attempt.

I could be dead wrong on this, so please do not take it as a fact.

Sources:

The First Battle of Chuenpi/Chuanbi- Wikipedia

The Opium Wars in China- An essay by Jack Patrick Hayes, PHD at Kwantlen Polytechnic University in Vancouver, BC. For the Asian Pacific Foundation of Canada. (This overview provides strong context and visuals for the conflict, but the Battle of Chuenpi is not examined closely.)

The First Opium War: The Anglo-Chinese War of 1839-1842 An essay by Peter C. Purdue PHD at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), in collaboration with MIT Visualizing Cultures project. (The first tab of this site “Opium Trade” provides strong context for the conflict. The Battle of Chuenpi is not examined in much detail.)