After the Chinese Communist Party won the Chinese Civil War in 1949, the Nationalist government fled to Taiwan and established a government there. Until 1971, the United States recognized the Nationalist government in Taiwan as the legitimate government of China. However, in 1971, the United States switched its recognition to the communist People's Republic of China. Taiwan is considered a separate country by many due to its self-governance and distinct identity, but China views it as a rebel province.