National Symbols
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National DesignationThe Founding Father of the ROC, Dr. Sun Yat-sen, first proposed naming what was to ultimately become our country the "Republic of China" at the first official meeting of the Tung-meng Hui (Revolutionary Alliance) in Tokyo in 1905. Dr. Sun said: "It was not until the day in autumn of 1905 when outstanding individuals of the entire country gathered to found the Tung-meng Hui in Tokyo that I came to believe the great revolutionary task could indeed be achieved. Only at this point did I dare to propose the national designation of 'Republic of China' and announce it to the members of our party, so that each could return to his respective province and proclaim the message of the revolution and disseminate the ideas behind the founding of the Republic of China." Dr. Sun's suggestion was officially adopted when the Provisional Assembly was established in 1912.
ROC Year Designations In official and most ordinary usages, years in the Republic of China are calculated from the year of the Republic's founding, 1912. Thus, 1912 was referred to as the first year of the Republic of China, and 2000 is the 89th year of the Republic of China, and so on. This is a continuation of the millennia-old system in China of beginning new year designations with the ascension of a new emperor. |