The
Republic of China (ROC) was the recognized legitimate government of China between 1912 and 1949. After its defeat in the
Chinese Civil War, the Republic of China
retreated to the island of Taiwan where it continues to govern today. In 1949, the
People’s Republic of China (PRC) was established on the
Chinese mainland. Since 1949, both the ROC and PRC officially claim to be the
sole legitimate government of the entirety of China (including Taiwan). The flag of the ROC was thus the legitimate flag of China since its adoption in 1928 to 1949, whereas after 1949 its status has been linked to the
political status of Taiwan.