China’s troubles with Japan in the nineteenth century reach a nadir with the Sino-Japanese War of 1894–1895, resulting in the loss of Taiwan to Japan, the recognition of Korean independence and the granting of concessions to Japan and the European powers.

Japan’s small but modernized forces handily defeat the larger Chinese army in Korea.

The April 1895 Treaty of Shimonoseki forces China to recognize Korean independence and transfers Taiwan (Formosa), the Pescadorees and Manchuria’s Liaotung Peninsula to Japanese control.

European pressure results in the return of the Liaodong Peninsula to China in return for China’s granting of concessions to Japan and the European powers.

The victorious Japanese begin an occupation of newly independent Korea.