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| Republic of China on Taiwan | |
|---|---|
| Conventional long name | Republic of China on Taiwan |
| Common name | Taiwan |
| Capital | Taipei |
| Official languages | Standard Chinese |
| Largest city | New Taipei City |
| Government | Democratic KMT-era Presidential system |
| Area km2 | 36193 |
| Population estimate | 23 million |
| Currency | New Taiwan dollar |
| Independence | 1912 (founding of Republic of China); 1949 (relocation) |
Republic of China on Taiwan is a polity occupying the island of Taiwan, the Penghu archipelago, Kinmen, Matsu and other islands, with its political centre in Taipei. It traces institutional continuity to the 1912 Xinhai Revolution and the Republic of China but has developed distinct institutions, parties and civil society since the mid-20th century, notably after the 1987 lifting of martial law and the 1996 direct presidential election. Taiwan is a major player in East Asia and global semiconductor supply chains, and hosts vibrant urban centers such as Kaohsiung, Taichung and Tainan.
The island was inhabited by indigenous peoples such as the Austronesian peoples before encounters with Koxinga and the Kingdom of Tungning. European colonization included the Spanish and Dutch settlements and the Treaty of Shimonoseki ceded Taiwan to Empire of Japan in 1895 after the First Sino-Japanese War. Following the Xinhai Revolution, the Republic of China was established in 1912; after the Second Sino-Japanese War and World War II Taiwan was placed under Allied occupation administration before retrocession. The Chinese Civil War culminated in the relocation of the Kuomintang government to Taiwan in 1949, while the Communist Party of China established the People's Republic of China on the mainland. The ensuing decades saw White Terror, the administration of leaders like Chiang Kai-shek and Chiang Ching-kuo, and eventual democratization under figures such as Lee Teng-hui and Chen Shui-bian. Cross-strait incidents include the 1958 crisis and the 1995–1996 Third Taiwan Strait Crisis. Recent history features party alternation between the Democratic Progressive Party and Kuomintang, contentious referendums, and social movements like the Sunflower Student Movement.
The polity operates under the Constitution of the Republic of China originally promulgated in 1947, amended extensively via the Additional Articles of the Constitution. Judicial institutions include the Judicial Yuan and the Grand Justices who interpret constitutional disputes; landmark cases have addressed issues traced to the Organic Act of Taiwan Province and electoral law. The legal status is contested on the international stage, involving doctrines advanced by the One-China policy, positions of the United Nations, and decisions by governments such as the United States and Japan. Human rights frameworks reference instruments like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and local legislation including the Employment Service Act and the Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area.
Taiwan features a separation of powers among the President, the Legislative Yuan, the Executive Yuan and the Judicial Yuan. Presidents such as Ma Ying-jeou, Tsai Ing-wen and Lee Teng-hui have presided over cross-strait policy shifts. Major political parties include the Democratic Progressive Party, the Kuomintang, the New Power Party and the People First Party. Elections are administered by the Central Election Commission with notable contests like the 1996, 2000, 2008, 2016 and 2020 presidential elections. Civil society actors include organizations such as the Taiwanese Association for Human Rights, the Hakka Affairs Council, and LGBT advocacy groups instrumental in passing the same-sex marriage legislation. Media outlets include China Television (CTV), Taiwan Television (TTV), Formosa TV, and online platforms; major protests have included the Kaohsiung Incident and the Wild Lily student movement.
Taiwan is an export-oriented economy anchored by firms like TSMC, Foxconn, Acer Inc., ASUS, and MediaTek. Industrial clusters in Hsinchu Science Park, Taichung Industrial Park and Kaohsiung Port support manufacturing, petrochemicals and shipbuilding by companies such as CSBC Corporation, Taiwan. The financial sector comprises the Taiwan Stock Exchange, the Central Bank of the ROC, and commercial banks including Bank of Taiwan and Mega International Commercial Bank. Infrastructure initiatives include the Taiwan High Speed Rail, Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, and urban transit systems like the Taipei Metro and Kaohsiung MRT. Energy policy debates involve the Fourth Nuclear Power Plant controversy, the Taiwan Power Company, and renewable projects. Trade relations are managed via agreements and forums such as the World Trade Organization, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, and the Cross-Strait Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement.
Cultural life blends indigenous traditions, Minnan, Hakka, and colonial legacies expressed in festivals like the Dragon Boat Festival and institutions such as the National Palace Museum. Literary figures include Lu Xun-era influences and local authors; filmmakers like Hou Hsiao-hsien and Ang Lee have gained international awards including the Academy Award. Culinary specialties include beef noodle soup, xiao long bao, and night market culture exemplified by Shilin Night Market. Religious pluralism features Buddhism, Taoism, Christianity, and indigenous spiritual practices; heritage sites include Fort Zeelandia and Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. Education is administered through universities such as National Taiwan University, National Tsing Hua University, National Cheng Kung University, and vocational institutions; research partnerships link to Stanford University and MIT through exchanges and alumni networks.
Diplomatic relations are conducted under complex constraints with a small number of formal allies such as Palau, Guatemala, and Nauru while maintaining substantive ties with states like the United States, Japan, European Union members and regional partners via de facto missions like the American Institute in Taiwan and the Japan–Taiwan Exchange Association. Defense forces include the Republic of China Armed Forces, with branches such as the Republic of China Navy, Republic of China Army, and Republic of China Air Force; major platforms include Ching-kuo-class frigate and procurments like the F-16 Fighting Falcon upgrade program. Security cooperation involves arms sales by the United States Department of Defense and strategic frameworks including the Taiwan Relations Act and dialogues with the Quad partners. Cross-strait tensions involve the People's Liberation Army and incidents such as 1995–1996 Taiwan Strait Crisis.
The territory spans mountainous terrain including Yushan, fertile plains like the Chianan Plain, and offshore islands such as Penghu. Climate zones range from tropical to subtropical with frequent typhoons and seismic activity along the Ring of Fire. Population centers include Taipei, Kaohsiung, Taichung, Tainan, and Hsinchu, with demographic trends showing low fertility rates, an aging population, and immigration from countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Ethnolinguistic groups encompass Taiwanese people of Minnan descent, Hakka people, indigenous Austronesian peoples, and mainlander communities originating from the mid-20th century.