ROC Taiwan 2002

ROC Yearbook 2002

History
This engraving shows the surrender negotiations of Frederic Coyett, the last Dutch governor of Taiwan, with Koxinga in 1662. (Photo by SMC Publishing, Inc.)
  1. History of Taiwan
    1. Earliest Inhabitants
    2. European Colonization
    3. Cheng Cheng-kung and Defeat of the Dutch
    4. Ching Rule Over the Island
    5. Japanese Colonization
  2. The ROC on Taiwan
    1. Tragic Early Days
    2. Rapid Development after 1950
    3. Miraculous Economic Transformation
    4. Education
    5. Politics and Foreign Relations
    6. Present and Future
Charts, tables, and boxes:

The beauty of Taiwan was recognized by the Portuguese in the mid-16th century, when they called it Ilha Formosa, or "beautiful island." In less than four hundred years, the island has developed into one of the most modernized countries in the world, with a current population of 22.35 million. The self-sufficient agrarian economy of Taiwan was transformed in the second half of the 20th century into a vigorous and advanced economy, with an income of more than US$11,000 per capita. Despite being ruled under colonial regimes in the 17th and 20th centuries and martial law for forty years after World War II, Taiwan peacefully evolved into a democratic country, and has been acclaimed as a "silent revolution." All these miracles took place in a short period, which was unique in Chinese history.

This chapter briefly summarizes the history of Taiwan. An additional chapter on the history of the ROC before 1949 is included in the Appendix II.

Taiwan Chronology
1544 The Portuguese sailing to Japan spot Taiwan and refer to it as Ilha Formosa (beautiful island). 1978 Chiang Ching-kuo is elected president.
1662 Cheng Cheng-kung, also known as Koxinga, defeats Dutch forces, marking the end of Dutch rule. 1979 The US grants diplomatic recognition to the People's Republic of China and breaks ties with the Republic of China.

A demonstration organized by opposition politicians and the Formosa Magazine to commemorate Human Rights Day, turns into the bloody riot known as the "Kaohsiung Incident."
1684 Manchus replace the Cheng family as the new rulers of Taiwan. Taiwan becomes a dependency of the Fujian provincial administration. 1986 The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) announces its formation.
1885 Taiwan is made a province of China and Liu Ming-chuan becomes the first governor of Taiwan. 1987 The Emergency Decree is lifted.

The government announces that residents of Taiwan are officially allowed to visit relatives on the mainland.
1895 Treaty of Shimonoseki concludes Sino-Japanese War; Taiwan is ceded to Japan. 1988 President Chiang Ching-kuo dies on January 13, and Vice President Lee Teng-hui is sworn in as president of the Republic of China.
1945 World War II ends with Japan's surrender to the Allies. Taiwan is retroceded to China after 50 years of Japanese occupation. 1990 Lee Teng-hui is elected the eighth-term president of the ROC by the National Assembly.
1947 Due to bad administration, ethnic tension, and other factors, an islandwide uprising breaks out, known as the February 28 Incident. 1991 The Executive Yuan approves a Six-Year National Development Plan aimed at improving the nation's economic infrastructure.

The Period of National Mobilization for Suppression of the Communist Rebellion is ended in May.
1949 The central government of the Republic of China relocates to Taiwan after the mainland falls to the Communists. 1992 The election for the Second Legislative Yuan is held, the first popular election to the legislature since 1947.
1950 In March, Chiang Kai-shek resumes the presidency of the Republic of China.

In June, with the outbreak of the Korean War, US President Truman orders the Seventh Fleet to protect Taiwan against attack by the Chinese Communists.

 1996 The first direct presidential election is held, and incumbent president and KMT candidate Lee Teng-hui is elected.
1953 The Legislative Yuan adopts the Land-to-the-Tiller Act. 1998 The Legislative Yuan passes the statute to streamline the Taiwan Provincial Government.
1967 The Executive Yuan extends period of compulsory education from six to nine years. 1999 On September 21, Taiwan is hit by its deadliest earthquake in more than 60 years. The 7.3 magnitude quake claims more than 2,000 lives and injures over 8,000.
1971 The Republic of China withdraws from the United Nations. 2000 Democratic Progressive Party candidate Chen Shui-bian is elected president of the Republic of China, ending the KMT's more than 50-year hold on the presidency in Taiwan.
1973 The Ten Major Construction Projects begin. 2001 The World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference formally approves Taiwan's accession to the WTO on November 11.


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