Geography of Taiwan and Green Island to the southeast, separated from the northernmost islands of the Philippines by the Bashi Channel. The islands of Kinmen and Matsu near the coast of Fujian across the Taiwan Strait have a total area of ; the Pratas and Taiping islets in the South China Sea are also administered by the ROC, but are not part of the Taiwanese archipelago. The island of Taiwan was formed approximately 4 to 5 million years ago at a complex convergent boundary between the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate. In a boundary running the length of the island and
President of the Republic of China reflect the PRC's official stance of not recognizing the ROC as an independent state. The PRC media does not use the terms ""President of Taiwan"" nor ""President of the Republic of China"", which could be inferred as implying recognition of Taiwan as a country, or of Two Chinas. Hence, the term ""Leader of the Taiwan Area"" is used- with "Area" to show that Taiwan is not a country; while "Leader" does not equal "President". According to criteria set by the authorities in Beijing, media in mainland China generally are not allowed to use terms related to the Republic of China