Taiwan was first discovered in the 1590s by indigenous peoples who inhabited it. They were called the aboriginals.The Chinese then took over and Japanese and Dutch lived there as well. Other countries tried to invade but the Chinese kept control. The dutch discovered it as well as the others and they settled there. After a war with Japan China gives Taiwan to them. The Japanese treated the aboriginals bad. In World War 2 Taiwan was bombed very bad. China then gains control again and then the Taiwan people got away from China again. They called it "The breakaway province of China." Taiwan went back and forth a lot between countries who owned it. China has officially claimed the island since 1949. It is all complicated as to weather or not Taiwan is a part of China. They have their own systems but China still claims it as their own or if it is an independent country.
Taiwan's government is a multiparty democracy. They have 5 branches. They are the Executive, Legislative, Judicial, Examination, and Control. The Executive, Judicial, and Legislative branches are like the US. The Examination branch looks over Taiwan's system of exams, access to education, jobs, business licenses, the civil service, and more. The Control branch is an agency that tries to keep things honest. They try to keep the peace. The President is directly elected and appoints the Premier who heads ministries. The President is in office for 5 years and can serve another term. The Premier is the Head of Government and the President is the Chief of State. In 1997 the Taiwan Constitution was amended to reduce the government control on ceremonies. Today, Taiwan is one of the most open political systems in Asia.