Four-Stage Theory of the Republic of China its remaining major component – the island of Taiwan, as opposed to its decades-long claim to all China since losing the civil war in 1949. Prior to this speech, the government officials used "Republic of China" when the name of the state was used. Lee's usage is considered as a departure from the convention, as this usage can be interpreted in the sense that the Republic of China's sovereignty does not extend to mainland China, which the People's Republic of China controls. The Democratic Progressive Party's 1999 Resolution on Taiwan's Future, which is accorded equivalent status as the Party charter,
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