More commonly known as Taiwan, the Republic of China is an East Asian state. Although the Republic of China claims to be the legitimate government of China, its jurisdiction is currently limited to Taiwan and its surrounding islands.
Taiwan's status is a contentious issue. While the Republic of China claims to be the legitimate government of China, the People's Republic of China claims sovereignty over Taiwan, referring to it as the Taiwan Authority. Nevertheless, the PRC has never governed Taiwan. The ROC has its own constitution, elected officials, and military, functioning in every way as an independent nation.
The Republic of China was formed in 1912, when the Qing Dynasty ended, at which time it controlled mainland China as well as Taiwan. In the 1920s, it found itself in a civil war with communists within China. The war stalled during the Japanese occupation, only to resume following World War II, when the Japanese were expelled.
In 1945, the US Navy ferried ROC troops to Taiwan for the formal surrender of Japanese forces. However, the Allies considered Taiwan and the Penghu Islands to be under military occupation and still under Japanese sovereignty until 1952.
Meanwhile, when the Japanese left mainland China, the Chinese civil war resumed between the Chinese Nationalists, under Chiang Kai-shek, and the Communist Party of China, under Mao Zedong. The Communists were victorious on the mainland, forming the People's Republic of China in 1949, while Chiang moved his government to Taiwan.
The Republic of China was a founding member of the United Nations and continued to represent China at the UN until 1971, when the People's Republic of China assumed China's seat and the ROC was ousted. Currently, only twenty countries maintain official relations with the Republic of China.
People have lived on Taiwan as long as 50,000 years ago, but the ancestors of its current traditional people probably came from southeast China around 6,000 years ago.
Until the 16th century, Taiwan was isolated and inhabited only by indigenous people. Seeking a secure base in the region, the Dutch East India Company built a small fortress on Penghu, an archipelago of ninety islands in the Taiwan Strait. They used Penghu as a base to disrupt Chinese trade with Manila. Eventually, they moved to control the main island.
In 1626, the Spanish occupied the northern part of Taiwan, building four forts over a ten year period. However, by 1642 they had withdrawn from Taiwan, giving the Dutch control of the entire region.
Due to unrest in China, a flood of Chinese immigrants found their way to Taiwan. Among them was a Chinese admiral named Zheng Chenggong who, after a defeat against the Qing Dynasty, overran the Dutch on the Penghu Islands, and then on Taiwan proper. About 30,000 Chinese came to Taiwan with Zheng, and they were added to the indigenous population of about 100,000.
In 1683, Taiwan came under the jurisdiction of the Qing Dynasty. In 1895, the Qing Dynasty ceded control of Taiwan, which created the short-lived Republic of Formosa. which lasted only a matter of months, ending with the Japanese occupation of the islands, and Taiwan's history after World War II is tied to the Republic of China, which was founded in China in 1911. When Chiang Kai-shek was forced to flee to Taiwan, he was followed by two million refugees, who included soldiers, businesspeople, intellectuals, artists, landowners, and monks, and these were the people who had the greatest influence over today's Taiwan. Chiang also brought China's gold reserves with him. The United States also found that Taiwan was strategically valuable to its interests in the region, and supported Taiwan militarily and financially. Taiwan became an industrial success.
However, within a couple of decades, the political climate changed. The political, economic, and military influence of the PRC grew and, in 1971, the PRC was admitted to the United Nations, and the ROC withdrew. In 1979, US President Carter switched official recognition from the ROC to the PRC, ending US recognition of the legitimacy of the Taiwanese government. Most other countries followed suit.
Taiwan is a democratic republic. Tensions between China and Taiwan affect many of the country's political decisions, particularly since the PRC has promised to take Taiwan by force, if necessary. Pro-unification and pro-independence factions are active in Taiwan.
Mandarin is the official language, and the one spoken by the vast majority of Taiwanese, although traditional Chinese is growing in popularity. More than 90% of the population adheres to polytheistic Chinese religions, largely a combination of Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism, while about 5% belong to various Christian denominations. Taiwanese aborigines make up a large portion of its Christian population.
Recommended Resources
CAL is the flag carrier for the Republic of China (Taiwan), operating more than 1,400 flights each week to 118 airports. Available in several languages, the site offers flight schedules and an overview of its services and facilities. Flights may be booked online, and arrivals and departures may be tracked, or flight status updated. Its frequent flyer, Dynasty Member, promotional offers are included.
http://www.china-airlines.com/
The Taiwanese company manufactures public payphones, cable assemblies, handset assemblies, keypad assemblies, hook switch assemblies, and card reader/writers, as well as a variety of fiber optic cable and cords, LED traffic signal, lanterns, housing and displays, which are highlighted here, along with its quality assurance policies, office hours and contacts, and an online contact or request form.
http://www.taiwan-cable-ties-tool.com/
The Taiwan restaurant began as an ice cream place offering chocolate ice cream in containers shaped like a squat toilet. The humor caught on, and it became a success. Over the years, it expanded from ice cream to a full restaurant, using the same theme. A profile and a brief history of the restaurant is set forth, along with a menu, guestbook, promotional memberships, stores carrying its products, and online bookings.
http://www.moderntoilet.com.tw/
New Zealand Commerce and Industry Office: Taipei
As New Zealand does not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan, the NZCIO was set up by the Wellington Employers' Chamber of Commerce, and staffed by employees of the Chamber or those employed by other associated New Zealand departments and agencies. Information about the relationships between New Zealand and Taiwan is presented, with tips for those considering going to New Zealand or doing business with a New Zealand company.
http://www.nzcio.com/
The official website of the Republic of China in Taiwan offers a Chinese perspective of the history and relationships between Taiwan and mainland China, as well as general information about Taiwan, its political structure, diplomatic missions and foreign relations, economic infrastructure and other issues about its businesses and economy, science, technology, education, and culture. Video and a photo gallery are included.
https://taiwan.gov.tw/
Specializing in reverse osmosis systems, the Taiwan company also manufactures water filters, shower filters, and other plumbing and water-related components and products. Established in 1986, the company was originally a contract manufacturer. A profile of the company and its products are put forth, and new products are highlighted, including specifications and other details. Its location, press information, and contacts are posted to the site.
http://www.ro-system.com/
Founded as Yunnan Sourcing in 2004, the business specializes in offering teas from Taiwan, but also offers tea wares, pottery, and other products. Its tea collection may be viewed, as well as its organic teas, tea sampler packs, and other products. Products on sale, as well as new products, are highlighted. Available products may be ordered online, its shipping policies are stated, and a blog is also presented.
https://taiwanoolongs.com/
Organized by the Bureau of Foreign Trade and the Taiwan External Trade Development Council, the business-to-business site is maintained through a global network of sixty offices. Businesses, industries, and services are listed and organized through product and service categories, and may also be found through a keyword or product search. Featured categories and products are also included.
https://www.taiwantrade.com/
The travel and tourism company offers a variety of packaged trips, including cultural and heritage tours, indigenous culture tours, temple tours, Taiwanese cuisine tours, adventure and outdoor trips, wellness and eco-tourism, as well as festivals and others, which are highlighted here, including durations, details, costs, and online bookings. An overview of northern, central, eastern, and southern Taiwan, as well as its offshore islands, is included.
http://www.go2taiwan.net/
Tourism Bureau, Republic of China (Taiwan)
The Bureau is an organization under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications of the Republic of China which is charged with administering domestic and international tourism policies for Taiwan. Its site offers a profile of Taiwan that includes its history, people, culture, religion, natural environment, and climate, including galleries of photos, video, music, and other resources, and a guide to traveling in Taiwan.
https://eng.taiwan.net.tw/
The non-profit organization was formed in 1976 to assist in developing and fostering trade and business relationships between the United States and Taiwan. The organization's history and administrative structure are set forth, along with its membership policies, a list of members, internship program, and a calendar of events. A profile of Taiwan and informational resources are posted, and contacts are posted to the site.
http://www.us-taiwan.org/
