The Republic of China is a formal name for Taiwan and commonly referred to as Taiwan. Some people prefer to use the term "Taiwan" instead of "Republic of China" because it distinguishes the island from the People's Republic of China on the mainland. Another synonymous name for "Republic of China" is "Chinese Taipei," which is often used in international events such as the Olympics due to political sensitivities. There are other informal terms used by some, such as "Free China" or "Taiwanese democracy," which reflect Taiwan's political system and distinguish it from mainland China's authoritarian regime. Ultimately, any alternative name for the Republic of China depends on one's political views and perspective.