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| The plum
blossom is the ROC's national flower and has great symbolic
value for Chinese people because of its resiliency to harsh
winter. (Photo by Huang Chung-hsin) |
Taiwan is formally known as the Republic of China (ROC). Founded
in 1912, the ROC is Asia's first constitutional republic. When the Chinese Communist
Party established the People's Republic of China (PRC) on the Chinese mainland
in 1949, the ROC government, led by the Kuomintang (KMT), relocated to Taiwan,
where it maintained jurisdiction over Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu, and numerous
other islets. The two sides of the Taiwan Strait have since been governed as
separate territories and developed separate identities.
In the realm of political development, Taiwan has grown into
a free and vibrant democracy. The government lifted martial law in 1987 and
launched a series of political reforms to expand the democratic process. In
1996, the people of Taiwan completed their first direct presidential election.
The presidential election of 2000 ended five decades of government under the
KMT and peacefully transferred power to the victorious Democratic Progressive
Party (DPP). Taiwan has thus established itself as a powerful working model
for democracy.
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| Economic liberalization and internationalization have modernized the capital Taipei City. (Photo by Huang Chung-hsin) |
Democratic progress--combined with an entrepreneurial and highly educated populace,
impartial government regulation, and constantly improving infrastructure--has
enabled Taiwan to surge ahead and establish itself as a global economic powerhouse.
Its competitive and dynamic free-market economy has brought to all levels of
society unprecedented prosperity. In January 2002, Taiwan joined the WTO and
became an official partner in the world trading system. The government is now
vigorously promoting a knowledge-based economy and industrial modernization
to transform Taiwan into a "green silicon island" of high value-added production.
With the continued advancement of democracy, economic liberalization, social
pluralization, universal education, and technological standards, Taiwan has
already entered the fraternity of developed nations and established a model
for the world's developing countries. This brochure presents a profile of Taiwan--a
truly remarkable nation. |
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