Foreword from the Publisher

Taiwan 2001

Foreword

The beginning of the 21st century is likely to continue posing challenges for the Republic of China as it endeavors to maintain its economic prosperity, democratization, and international relations.
On the political scene, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate Chen Shui-bian's narrow victory over the Kuomintang (KMT) candidate Lien Chan and independent James Soong in the March 18, 2000, election marked the first transfer of presidential power to an opposition party in the ROC's history on Taiwan. President Chen made the elimination of "black gold" (political corruption and money politics) his first priority, ensuring that Taiwan's democracy and international competitiveness will advance to new heights.
Over the past year, the combined efforts of all sectors of society have been directed toward reconstruction and recovery from the disastrous September 21, 1999 earthquake, which devastated central Taiwan, causing 2,347 deaths, injuring thousands more, and leaving tens of thousands homeless. Rebuilding homes and businesses destroyed by the earthquake has proved extremely difficult, and yet the government and the people are determined to complete all reconstruction within the next three years.
In the second half of 2000, the world economy experienced a significant downturn, with stock markets falling, some by 50 percent or more. As an important member of the integrated world trade and financial structure, the ROC was not spared the ill effects of the recession. Both private enterprises and the government struggled to find appropriate solutions to the problems besetting the economy, particularly in the financial and real estate markets. Taiwan's well-educated and motivated workforce will combine with far-sighted government policy to strengthen economic fundamentals and refine management so the ROC can overcome global recession, gain WTO accession, and succeed in the high-technology future of the communications era.
Each year, the ROC faces severe challenges in its complex relationship with the Chinese mainland. Although economic, social, and cultural relations with the Chinese mainland continue to grow ever closer, as evidenced by the recent opening of the "Three Small Links," the cross-strait political relationship remains tense. Taiwan businesses have invested over US$16.8 billion in mainland China, directly and indirectly employing millions of people on the Chinese mainland, and yet the Communist authorities still refuse to renounce the use of force against Taiwan.
In his inaugural address on May 20, 2000, President Chen adopted a conciliatory tone, reassuring mainland authorities that, so long as the Chinese mainland does not use force against Taiwan, he would not declare independence; change the national title; push for inclusion of the "special state-to-state" relationship in the Constitution; nor promote a referendum on the question of unification or independence. Unfortunately, the mainland authorities did not respond in kind to these goodwill gestures, but rather insisted that the ROC accept their self-serving definition of "one China." Nonetheless, the ROC government continues its policy of promoting cross-strait exchanges and dialogue to maintain peace and prosperity in the Taiwan Strait.
Although the ROC has experienced its share of difficulties over the past year, the people remain confident that the "Taiwan experience" will continue to be praised by the international community and remain a valid and constructive example for developing nations throughout the 21st century.
The Republic of China Yearbook--Taiwan 2001 presents a comprehensive and cohesive overview of the most important aspects of the Republic of China on Taiwan, which readers around the world will certainly find useful and informative. The 2001 edition records the fascinating story of the ROC with objective facts and accurate figures. Throughout the text, an exchange rate of NT$32.27 to US$1 has been used to give meaning to financial statistics for non-Taiwan readers.
In addition, both the CD and online versions of The Republic of China Yearbook--Taiwan 2001 include the original Chinese characters after important names, places, etc. as an aid to those able to read traditional Chinese characters. If the characters do not display properly in your browser, please click here for help.
We invite readers to check the GIO web page at www.gio.gov.tw for the most recent information on the ROC.

Copyright (C) May 2001, Government Information Office. All rights reserved. Site design by L.F. Lee
Best viewed with Netscape 4.x or IE 5.x (medium font) at 800 x 600 True Color (32 bit) resolution

		Foreword
		The beginning of the 21st century is likely to continue posing challenges for the Republic of China as it endeavors to maintain its economic prosperity, democratization, and international relations. On the political scene, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) candidate Chen Shui-bian's narrow victory over the Kuomintang (KMT) candidate Lien Chan and independent James Soong in the March 18, 2000, election marked the first transfer of presidential power to an opposition party in the ROC's history on Taiwan. President Chen made the elimination of "black gold" (political corruption and money politics) his first priority, ensuring that Taiwan's democracy and international competitiveness will advance to new heights. Over the past year, the combined efforts of all sectors of society have been directed toward reconstruction and recovery from the disastrous September 21, 1999 earthquake, which devastated central Taiwan, causing 2,347 deaths, injuring thousands more, and leaving tens of thousands homeless. Rebuilding homes and businesses destroyed by the earthquake has proved extremely difficult, and yet the government and the people are determined to complete all reconstruction within the next three years. In the second half of 2000, the world economy experienced a significant downturn, with stock markets falling, some by 50 percent or more. As an important member of the integrated world trade and financial structure, the ROC was not spared the ill effects of the recession. Both private enterprises and the government struggled to find appropriate solutions to the problems besetting the economy, particularly in the financial and real estate markets. Taiwan's well-educated and motivated workforce will combine with far-sighted government policy to strengthen economic fundamentals and refine management so the ROC can overcome global recession, gain WTO accession, and succeed in the high-technology future of the communications era. Each year, the ROC faces severe challenges in its complex relationship with the Chinese mainland. Although economic, social, and cultural relations with the Chinese mainland continue to grow ever closer, as evidenced by the recent opening of the "Three Small Links," the cross-strait political relationship remains tense. Taiwan businesses have invested over US$16.8 billion in mainland China, directly and indirectly employing millions of people on the Chinese mainland, and yet the Communist authorities still refuse to renounce the use of force against Taiwan. In his inaugural address on May 20, 2000, President Chen adopted a conciliatory tone, reassuring mainland authorities that, so long as the Chinese mainland does not use force against Taiwan, he would not declare independence; change the national title; push for inclusion of the "special state-to-state" relationship in the Constitution; nor promote a referendum on the question of unification or independence. Unfortunately, the mainland authorities did not respond in kind to these goodwill gestures, but rather insisted that the ROC accept their self-serving definition of "one China." Nonetheless, the ROC government continues its policy of promoting cross-strait exchanges and dialogue to maintain peace and prosperity in the Taiwan Strait. Although the ROC has experienced its share of difficulties over the past year, the people remain confident that the "Taiwan experience" will continue to be praised by the international community and remain a valid and constructive example for developing nations throughout the 21st century. The Republic of China Yearbook--Taiwan 2001 presents a comprehensive and cohesive overview of the most important aspects of the Republic of China on Taiwan, which readers around the world will certainly find useful and informative. The 2001 edition records the fascinating story of the ROC with objective facts and accurate figures. Throughout the text, an exchange rate of NT$32.27 to US$1 has been used to give meaning to financial statistics for non-Taiwan readers. In addition, both the CD and online versions of The Republic of China Yearbook--Taiwan 2001 include the original Chinese characters after important names, places, etc. as an aid to those able to read traditional Chinese characters. If the characters do not display properly in your browser, please click here for help. We invite readers to check the GIO web page at www.gio.gov.tw for the most recent information on the ROC. Copyright (C) May 2001, Government Information Office. All rights reserved. Site design by L.F. Lee Best viewed with Netscape 4.x or IE 5.x (medium font) at 800 x 600 True Color (32 bit) resolution