Taiwan, officially the Republic of China, is an island country in East Asia located strategically at the intersection of the East and South China Seas. The main island, Taiwan (or Formosa), is characterized by mountainous terrain in the east and plains in the west, where its dense population is concentrated. Taiwan boasts a high population density with approximately 23.9 million inhabitants. Its capital, Taipei, along with New Taipei City and Keelung, forms a major metropolitan area.
1902: End of Resistance Against Japanese Rule
By 1902, Japanese forces had successfully quelled the majority of armed resistance against their rule in Taiwan, which began after the First Sino-Japanese War.
1905: Tongmenghui Party Manifesto
The Tongmenghui, a Chinese revolutionary party, released its manifesto in 1905, outlining four main goals for the revolution, including the establishment of a republic.
1907: Beipu Uprising
The Beipu Uprising of 1907, an armed rebellion against Japanese rule in Taiwan, was ultimately unsuccessful.
January 1912: Founding of the Republic of China
The Republic of China (ROC) was founded on mainland China in January 1912 following the Xinhai Revolution, while Taiwan was under Japanese rule.
1912: Establishment of the Minguo Era
The Minguo era system, which marks its start with the founding of the Republic of China (ROC) in 1912, is frequently used to denote the year.
1912: Establishment of the Republic of China
The Republic of China (ROC) was established in 1912 after the overthrow of the Qing dynasty.
1912: Establishment of the Republic of China
The Republic of China (ROC) was founded in 1912, following the success of the Xinhai Revolution.
1915: Tapani Incident
The Tapani Incident, an anti-Japanese uprising, took place in Taiwan in 1915.
1924: National Revolutionary Army Established
Sun Yat-sen formed the National Revolutionary Army in Guangdong in 1924 with the aim of reunifying China under the Kuomintang.
1928: KMT Unifies China and Gains Recognition
Before 1928, Republican China's foreign policy was hindered by internal divisions. However, the Kuomintang's (KMT) victory over the Peiyang Government brought about unity and led to international recognition of the Republic of China.
1929: Standardization of the Gregorian Calendar
The Chinese calendar, a lunisolar system, was officially replaced by the Gregorian calendar in 1929.
1930: Musha Incident
The Musha Incident, a significant revolt against Japanese rule by indigenous people in Taiwan, occurred in 1930.
1930: Musha Incident
The Musha Incident, a major uprising by indigenous Taiwanese against Japanese rule, reached its peak in 1930.
1935: Japanese Assimilation Project
Around 1935, Japan initiated a comprehensive assimilation project in Taiwan, aiming to suppress local culture and language.
1938: Japanese Population in Taiwan
By 1938, the number of Japanese residents in Taiwan had reached 309,000.
1939: Taiwan Becomes Seventh-Largest Sugar Producer
Taiwan's sugar production increased significantly under Japanese rule, making it the world's seventh-largest sugar producer by 1939.
1940: Forced Adoption of Japanese Surnames
In 1940, the Japanese administration in Taiwan started enforcing the adoption of Japanese surnames by Taiwanese families, though this policy saw limited success.
1943: Limited Adoption of Japanese Surnames
By 1943, only about 2% of Taiwanese families had adopted Japanese surnames, despite the policy's implementation in 1940.
October 1944: Formosa Air Battle
The Formosa Air Battle, a significant air engagement between American and Japanese forces, took place in October 1944 near Taiwan.
1945: Signing of the Sino-Soviet Treaty
The Sino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship and Alliance was signed in 1945, influencing the ROC's stance on Mongolia's independence.
1946: 1946 Constitution
The 1946 constitution is referenced regarding the ROC's recognition of Mongolia.
1946: ROC Recognizes Mongolian Independence
Following the 1945 Sino-Soviet Treaty, the ROC recognized Mongolia as an independent nation in 1946.
February 1947: February 28 Incident
On February 1947, the shooting of a civilian sparked island-wide unrest in Taiwan, which was suppressed with military force, resulting in thousands of deaths. This event is known as the February 28 Incident.
1947: ROC Armed Forces Formed
The 1947 ROC Constitution transformed the National Revolutionary Army into the Republic of China Armed Forces, establishing it as the national army.
1947: ROC Constitution Defines Territory
The 1947 ROC constitution defined the nation's territory based on its "existing national boundaries" and outlined administrative divisions including provinces, special municipalities, and the Tibet Area.
1947: Establishment of the Republic of China Constitution
The Constitution of the Republic of China (ROC), founded upon the Three Principles of the People, was established in 1947, outlining the structure and principles of the ROC government.
1947: Undefined National Boundaries in the Constitution
The 1947 ROC Constitution did not clearly define national boundaries, leaving the issue open to interpretation.
May 1949: Declaration of Martial Law in Taiwan
Martial law was declared in Taiwan in May 1949 and remained in effect until 1987, used to suppress political opposition to the KMT.
December 1949: Relocation of the ROC Government to Taiwan
Following their defeat in the Chinese Civil War, Chiang Kai-Shek and the Nationalist government fled mainland China and established a temporary capital in Taipei, Taiwan in December 1949.
1949: Chinese Communist Party's Victory on Mainland China
The Chinese Communist Party, after winning the Chinese Civil War, founded the People's Republic of China in 1949, taking control of mainland China.
1949: PRC's Claim over Taiwan
The People's Republic of China (PRC) asserts that Taiwan is an integral part of Chinese territory and that the PRC replaced the ROC government in 1949, becoming the sole legitimate government of China.
1949: Taiwanese Military Shifts Focus
From 1949 to the 1970s, the Taiwanese military focused on "retaking mainland China." As the PRC's strength grew, the mission shifted away from attack, leading to a greater emphasis on the air force and navy and a transition to civilian control of the armed forces.
1949: ROC Retreats to Taiwan
Following its retreat to Taiwan in 1949, the ROC's control was limited to Taiwan Province, some Fujian Province islands, the Pratas Islands, and Taiping Island in the Spratly Islands.
1949: ROC Retreats to Taiwan and Reverses Recognition of Mongolia
After retreating to Taiwan in 1949, the ROC reversed its recognition of Mongolia's independence as part of its claim over mainland China.
1949: ROC Retreats to Taiwan
After losing the Chinese Civil War to the communists in 1949, the ROC government fled to Taiwan.
1950: Communist Capture of Hainan
The Communists, having established the PRC, captured Hainan from the ROC in 1950.
1950: United Kingdom Recognizes PRC
The United Kingdom recognized the PRC in 1950, while most Western Bloc countries maintained relations with the ROC.
1951: Agriculture's Share of Taiwan's GDP
In 1951, agriculture constituted a significant portion of Taiwan's GDP, accounting for 32 percent.
1954: Sino-American Mutual Defense Treaty
In 1954, the Republic of China (ROC) and the United States signed the Sino-American Mutual Defense Treaty, leading to the establishment of the United States Taiwan Defense Command and the stationing of approximately 30,000 US troops in Taiwan.
1954: US-Taiwan Mutual Defense Treaty
The United States and Taiwan entered into a mutual defense treaty in 1954.
1955: Sino-American Mutual Defense Treaty and Formosa Resolution
In 1955, the United States passed the Sino-American Mutual Defense Treaty and Formosa Resolution, providing substantial foreign aid to the KMT regime in Taiwan and dispatching the Seventh Fleet to prevent conflict in the Taiwan Strait.
1955: First Taiwan Strait Crisis
The First Taiwan Strait Crisis in 1955 resulted in the Communist capture of the Dachen Islands and Yijiangshan Islands from the ROC.
1958: ROC Defeats in Northwest China
In 1958, the ROC faced defeats in Northwest China against Communist forces.
1958: Second Taiwan Strait Crisis and Military Buildup
During the Second Taiwan Strait Crisis in 1958, Nike Hercules missiles were added to Taiwan's defense infrastructure.
1959: Agricultural Growth in Taiwan
By 1959, agricultural production in Taiwan had increased at an average annual rate of 4 percent since 1952, driven by land reform and agricultural development programs.
1961: ROC Defeats in Burma and Thailand
ROC forces, having entered Burma and Thailand in the 1950s, were defeated by Communist forces in 1961.
1962: Golden Horse Film Festival and Awards
Taiwan has been hosting the prestigious Golden Horse Film Festival and Awards since 1962.
1966: Introduction of Taekwondo
Taekwondo was introduced to Taiwan in 1966 as part of military training.
October 1971: UN Resolution 2758 Recognizes PRC
On October 25, 1971, UN Resolution 2758, with a vote of 76 to 35 and 17 abstentions, recognized the PRC as the sole representative of China in the United Nations.
1971: ROC Expelled from the UN
In 1971, the ROC was expelled from the United Nations by Resolution 2758 and replaced by the PRC.
1971: UN Recognizes PRC
In 1971, the United Nations voted to recognize the People's Republic of China (PRC) as the sole representative of China, replacing the Republic of China (ROC).
1972: Chiang Ching-kuo as Premier
Chiang Ching-kuo, son of Chiang Kai-shek, became premier of the ROC in 1972.
1978: Chiang Ching-kuo's Presidency
Chiang Ching-kuo assumed the presidency of the ROC in 1978.
1978: Economic Growth and Foreign Investment
Taiwan's rapid economic growth led to $1.9 billion in foreign investment in 1978, attracted by tax incentives and a skilled, affordable workforce.
1979: Taiwan Relations Act Passed
The United States passed the Taiwan Relations Act in 1979, which has allowed for continued arms sales and military training to the ROC Armed Forces.
1979: Nagoya Resolution
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) passed the Nagoya Resolution in 1979, allowing the ROC to participate in international events alongside the PRC under the name "Chinese Taipei."
1979: End of US-Taiwan Defense Treaty
The United States established diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China (PRC) in 1979, leading to the termination of the Sino-American Mutual Defense Treaty and the withdrawal of US troops from Taiwan.
1979: Kaohsiung Incident
The Kaohsiung Incident, a pro-democracy protest, occurred on Human Rights Day in 1979. Despite being quickly suppressed, it significantly unified Taiwan's opposition movement.
1980: Taiwan's Rising Foreign Trade
By 1980, Taiwan's foreign trade reached $39 billion annually, generating a surplus of $46.5 million and contributing to its recognition as one of the Four Asian Tigers.
1984: Selection of Lee Teng-hui as Vice-President
In 1984, Chiang Ching-kuo selected Lee Teng-hui as his vice-president, a decision that would have significant implications for Taiwan's future.
1986: Founding of the Democratic Progressive Party
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) was founded in 1986 as the first opposition party in Taiwan, challenging the dominance of the KMT.
February 1987: Founding of TSMC
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), a major player in the global semiconductor industry, was founded in February 1987.
July 1987: Lifting of Martial Law
In July 1987, Chiang Ching-kuo lifted martial law on the main island of Taiwan, marking a significant step towards democratization.
1987: End of Martial Law in Taiwan
Taiwan lifted martial law in 1987, marking a significant step towards democratization and paving the way for political reforms.
1988: Lee Teng-hui Becomes President
Following Chiang Ching-kuo's death in 1988, Lee Teng-hui became the first president of the ROC born in Taiwan.
1989: Founding of the Chinese Professional Baseball League
The Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) was founded in 1989, marking the start of professional baseball in Taiwan.
1991: Start of Taiwanese Investments in China
From 1991 onwards, Taiwanese companies began investing heavily in mainland China.
1991: ROC Joins APEC
The ROC became a member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum (APEC) in 1991 using the name "Chinese Taipei."
1991: ROC Recognizes PRC's Control Over Mainland China
The ROC ceased considering the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) as a rebellious group in 1991 and acknowledged its control over mainland China.
1991: ROC Joins UNPO
The Republic of China joined the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) as a member upon its establishment in 1991, represented by the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy (TFD) under the name "Taiwan."
1991: Straits Exchange Foundation and ARATS Founded
The Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) of Taiwan and the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) of the PRC, both established in 1991, handle cross-strait exchanges.
November 1992: 1992 Consensus Meeting
In November 1992, the ARATS and SEF convened, resulting in what is now called the 1992 Consensus. The SEF's interpretation was an agreement on "one China" with differing definitions, while the ARATS highlighted agreement on the One China principle without mentioning the definitional discrepancy.
1992: Early Taiwanese Identity Survey
In 1992, an identity survey in Taiwan yielded these results: Taiwanese 17.6%, Chinese 25.5%, both 46.4%, and non-response 10.5%.
1992: The 1992 Consensus
The 1992 Consensus, a key point of reference in cross-strait relations, emerged, with the Kuomintang (KMT) asserting the concept of "One China" but with differing interpretations between the ROC and PRC on its meaning.
1993: Establishment of Taiwan's Constitutional Court
Taiwan established a separate Constitutional Court in 1993 to address constitutional disputes, regulate political parties, and advance the democratization process.
1993: ROC's Petitions for UN Entry
Since 1993, the ROC has submitted petitions to the UN for entry, but these applications have not progressed beyond the committee stage.
1993: Constitutional Court's Stance on Boundaries
In 1993, the Constitutional Court decided not to define Taiwan's national boundaries, considering it a political matter for the Executive and Legislative branches to resolve.
1994: Rising Pro-Independence Sentiment
Beginning in 1994, there was a notable increase in pro-independence sentiment among the Taiwanese population.
1995: Implementation of National Health Insurance (NHI)
Taiwan introduced its National Health Insurance (NHI) program in 1995, a single-payer compulsory social insurance plan ensuring equal access to healthcare for all citizens.
1996: First Direct Presidential Election
In 1996, Lee Teng-hui was re-elected in the first direct presidential election in Taiwan, further consolidating democratic processes.
1996: Increase in University Acceptance Rate
Taiwan's university acceptance rate surged to 49% in 1996 from around 20% before the 1980s.
1996: First Democratically Elected President in Taiwan
The Republic of China (ROC) in Taiwan held its first democratic presidential election in 1996, marking a significant transition towards a multi-party democracy.
1996: US-Japan Joint Declaration on Security
The United States and Japan signed a joint declaration on security in 1996, which could imply Japanese involvement in response to a security threat in the "area surrounding Japan." However, Japan has not clarified whether this area includes Taiwan.
1997: Force Reduction Plans Begin
Taiwan initiated force reduction plans in the 1990s, aiming to decrease military personnel from 450,000 in 1997 to 380,000 in 2001.
1997: ROC Seeks WHO Participation
The ROC government has been endeavoring to participate in the World Health Organization (WHO) since 1997.
September 1999: 921 Earthquake
On September 21, 1999, a 7.3 magnitude earthquake, known as the "921 earthquake," struck Taiwan, resulting in the deaths of over 2,400 people.
1999: Defense Spending Falls Below 3% of GDP
Taiwan's defense spending, as a percentage of GDP, dipped below 3% in 1999 and has trended downwards in the 21st century.
2000: Election of Chen Shui-bian
Chen Shui-bian of the DPP was elected as the first non-KMT president in 2000, marking a turning point in Taiwanese politics.
2001: Force Reduction Target
The target for force reduction in 2001 was 380,000 personnel.
2001: Decline of Agriculture in Taiwan's Economy
By 2001, agriculture's contribution to Taiwan's GDP had dwindled to less than 2 percent, reflecting a shift towards industrial and technological sectors.
2002: ROC Joins WTO
In 2002, the ROC joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) under the designation "Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu."
2002: ROC Accepts Mongolian Passports
The ROC started accepting Mongolian passports in 2002 and removed references to Outer Mongolia from its legislation regarding relations with mainland China.
2002: Shift in NHI Payment System
To address increasing losses and contain costs, Taiwan's National Health Insurance (NHI) transitioned from a fee-for-service to a global budget payment system in 2002.
2002: ROC Recognizes Mongolia
In 2002, the ROC formally recognized Mongolia as a sovereign nation.
2002: "One Country on Each Side" Statement
In 2002, Chen Shui-bian's reference to "One Country on Each Side" of the Taiwan Strait strained cross-Strait relations.
2002: China Becomes Taiwan's Largest Export Market
For the first time in 2002, China surpassed the United States to become the largest export market for Taiwan, highlighting the growing economic ties between the two.
March 2003: SARS Outbreak
During the SARS outbreak in March 2003, Taiwan experienced 347 confirmed cases, prompting the CDC and local governments to implement monitoring stations across public areas.
July 2003: SARS Containment
Taiwan successfully contained the SARS outbreak by July 2003, with no reported cases since then.
2003: Taiwan Treated as Major Non-NATO Ally
Since at least 2003, the United States has treated Taiwan as a de facto major non-NATO ally.
2003: Establishment of the Super Basketball League
Taiwan's semi-professional Super Basketball League (SBL) began its inaugural season in 2003.
2004: NHI Population Coverage
By the end of 2004, the National Health Insurance (NHI) program in Taiwan achieved a 99% population coverage.
2004: No Party Wins Legislative Majority
For the first time since 2004, no single party won a majority in Taiwan's legislative election in January 2024.
2004: Establishment of National Health Command Center
Learning from the SARS experience, Taiwan established the National Health Command Center in 2004, incorporating the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) to manage future epidemics.
2004: Olympic Gold Medals in Taekwondo
Taiwanese athletes Chen Shih-hsin and Chu Mu-yen secured gold medals in the women's and men's flyweight taekwondo events, respectively, at the 2004 Olympics.
January 2005: Shift to Horizontal Writing in Official Documents
On January 1, 2005, the Executive Yuan of Taiwan officially changed the writing direction in official documents from vertical to horizontal, reflecting a broader trend towards modernizing written Chinese.
2005: Census on Religious Demographics
In 2005, a census in Taiwan identified the five most prevalent religions as Buddhism, Taoism, Yiguandao, Protestantism, and Roman Catholicism.
2005: Baseline for Carbon Emission Reduction
The year 2005 serves as the baseline for Taiwan's carbon emission reduction targets.
2005: ROC Government Adds "Taiwan" to its Name
To minimize confusion and emphasize its distinct identity, the ROC government in Taiwan started adding "Taiwan" alongside its official name in 2005.
2005: Abolition of the National Assembly
In 2005, Taiwan abolished its unicameral National Assembly, transferring its constitutional amendment powers to the Legislative Yuan and the electorate through referendums.
2006: Mongol Banners Abolished
The ROC abolished Mongol banners for Inner Mongolia in 2006.
September 2007: DPP's Resolution on Taiwan's Identity
In September 2007, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) passed a resolution affirming Taiwan's separate identity from China and called for a new constitution for a "normal country" while promoting the use of "Taiwan" as the country's name.
2008: Referendums on UN Membership
In 2008, referendums were held in Taiwan on whether the country should join the UN, a move that created tension with mainland China and the United States.
2008: Election of Ma Ying-jeou
Ma Ying-jeou, the KMT's nominee, won the 2008 presidential election on a platform of economic growth and improved ties with mainland China.
2008: High University Entrance Rate
Since 2008, Taiwan has maintained a university entrance rate exceeding 95%, among the highest in Asia.
July 2009: Taiwanese Perception Survey
In July 2009, a survey conducted by Global Views Survey Research Center found that 82.8% of respondents viewed the ROC and PRC as separate countries, while 80.2% considered them members of the Chinese people.
2009: ROC Participates in WHO as Observer
In 2009, the ROC participated as an observer in the WHO under the designation "Chinese Taipei" following an agreement with Beijing.
2009: Hosting International Sporting Events
Taiwan, under the name "Chinese Taipei," hosted the World Games in Kaohsiung and the Summer Deaflympics in Taipei in 2009.
2011: Yani Tseng's Reign in Women's Golf
Taiwanese golfer Yani Tseng achieved the impressive feat of becoming the youngest golfer ever to win five major championships. She held the No. 1 spot in the Women's World Golf Rankings for 109 consecutive weeks, beginning in 2011.
2012: Mainland Affairs Council Clarifies Outer Mongolia's Status
Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council clarified in 2012 that Outer Mongolia was not part of the ROC's territory as per the 1947 Constitution.
2013: Compulsory Military Service Reduced
Taiwan reduced mandatory military service to four months in 2013.
2013: End of Yani Tseng's Reign
Yani Tseng's impressive 109-week reign as world No. 1 in women's golf came to an end in 2013.
2014: Sunflower Student Movement
In 2014, university students in Taiwan occupied the Legislative Yuan to protest the Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement, a movement that came to be known as the Sunflower Student Movement.
2014: Taiwanese Night Markets Acclaimed
Taiwanese night markets gained international recognition in 2014 when The Guardian lauded them as the "best street food markets in the world".
2015: PISA Results
Taiwanese students excelled in the 2015 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), achieving outstanding results in mathematics, science, and literacy, ranking seventh globally.
2015: Made in China 2025 and Brain Drain Concerns
The announcement of the Made in China 2025 initiative in 2015 led to aggressive recruitment campaigns targeting Taiwanese chip industry talent. This resulted in over 3,000 chip engineers relocating to mainland China, sparking concerns of a "brain drain" in Taiwan.
2016: Increase in Carbon Emissions
Between 2005 and 2016, carbon emissions in Taiwan increased by 0.92 percent.
2016: DPP Victories in Presidential and Legislative Elections
The DPP achieved victories in both the 2016 presidential and legislative elections, securing their first legislative majority in Taiwanese history.
2016: Taiwan's New Southbound Policy
Under the Tsai administration's New Southbound Policy launched in 2016, Taiwan has strengthened economic ties with South and Southeast Asian nations, boosting investment and people-to-people exchanges despite a general lack of formal diplomatic relations in the region.
May 2017: Constitutional Court Ruling on Same-Sex Marriage
In May 2017, Taiwan's Constitutional Court ruled that existing marriage laws were unconstitutional because they denied same-sex couples the right to marry. The court stipulated that the Legislative Yuan had two years to amend the laws, or same-sex marriage would automatically become legal in Taiwan.
2017: Abolition of Mongolian and Tibetan Affairs Commission
The ROC abolished its Mongolian and Tibetan Affairs Commission in 2017, further signaling its evolving stance on these territories.
2017: Hosting the Summer Universiade
Taipei hosted the Summer Universiade in 2017.
2017: ROC Excluded from WHO
Starting in 2017, Taiwan faced exclusion from the WHO, even as an observer, a situation that led to controversies during the COVID-19 pandemic.
2017: Taiwanese Premier on Independence
In 2017, Taiwanese Premier William Lai stated his support for Taiwan's independence while acknowledging that declaring formal independence was not immediately necessary as Taiwan already operated as a sovereign nation.
2018: Referendum on Same-Sex Marriage
A referendum in 2018 saw Taiwanese voters overwhelmingly oppose same-sex marriage and support removing content about homosexuality from primary school textbooks. This referendum, however, did not overturn the 2017 Constitutional Court ruling.
2018: Freedom of Thought Report
In 2018, Taiwan earned a joint #1 ranking in the Freedom of Thought Report due to its lack of state-sanctioned religious discrimination and high regard for freedom of religion or belief.
2018: Low Number of Hong Kong Immigrants
In 2018, Taiwan had only 4,000 Hong Kong immigrants.
2018: Taiwan's Olympic Name Referendum
In 2018, a referendum was held to determine whether Taiwan should compete under its own name in the 2020 Summer Olympics. The referendum failed, with concerns about potential backlash from China being a factor.
2018: Michelin Guide Reviews
The renowned Michelin Guide initiated restaurant reviews in Taiwan in 2018.
March 2019: Scooter Usage in Taiwan
As of March 2019, there were 13.86 million registered scooters in Taiwan, double the number of registered cars, highlighting their popularity as a mode of transportation.
March 2019: Population Estimates for Administrative Divisions
In March 2019, population estimates were released for the twenty most populous administrative divisions in Taiwan, based on household registrations. These estimates may not reflect the actual number of residents.
May 2019: Legalization of Same-Sex Marriage
Taiwan's parliament passed a bill in May 2019 legalizing same-sex marriage, making it the first country in Asia to do so. This legislation followed a 2017 Constitutional Court ruling mandating marriage equality.
2019: Tsai Ing-wen Rejects 1992 Consensus
Tsai Ing-wen, in 2019, rejected the 1992 Consensus, citing its Beijing-defined interpretation as "one country, two systems."
2019: Low Infant Mortality Rate
The infant mortality rate in Taiwan stood at 4.2 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2019.
2019: Downsizing of the Examination Yuan
Taiwan's Examination Yuan, responsible for civil service examinations, was downsized in 2019 amid calls for its complete abolition.
2019: Forest Landscape Integrity Index
In 2019, Taiwan had a Forest Landscape Integrity Index mean score of 6.38/10, ranking it 76th globally out of 172 countries.
2019: Religious Buildings in Taiwan
As of 2019, Taiwan had 15,175 religious buildings, equating to approximately one place of worship for every 1,572 residents. The majority of these were dedicated to Taoism and Buddhism.
2020: Pew Research on Religious Composition
In 2020, Pew Research estimated the religious composition of Taiwan to be 43.8% Folk religions, 21.2% Buddhist, 15.5% Others (including Taoism), 13.7% Unaffiliated, 5.8% Christian, and 1% Muslim.
2020: High Life Expectancy
In 2020, Taiwan recorded a life expectancy at birth of 77.5 years, with males at 83.9 years and females at 77.5 years.
2020: Estimated Religious Composition
In 2020, estimations were made regarding the religious composition of Taiwan's population.
2020: High Literacy Rate
Taiwan boasted a 99.03% literacy rate in 2020.
2020: Taiwan Competes in the Olympics
Taiwan participated in the 2020 Summer Olympics, highlighting the ongoing debate over its international representation.
June 2021: Public Opinion on Taiwan's Status
In June 2021, a poll revealed that a significant portion of the Taiwanese population preferred maintaining the status quo regarding Taiwan's political standing, with varying levels of support for eventual independence or unification with China.
June 2021: Taiwanese Identity Survey
In June 2021, a survey revealed that 63.3% of respondents identified as Taiwanese, 2.6% as Chinese, 31.4% as both, and 2.7% did not respond.
December 2021: TSMC's Market Capitalization Reaches 90% of Taiwan's GDP
By December 2021, TSMC had become the world's largest semiconductor manufacturing company, surpassing Intel and Samsung. Its market capitalization at this time was equivalent to approximately 90% of Taiwan's GDP, demonstrating its significant role in the Taiwanese economy.
2021: CPBL League Structure
As of 2021, the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) consisted of five teams with an average attendance of around 4,000 spectators per game.
2021: US President Biden's Statements on Taiwan
Throughout 2021, US President Joe Biden stated on multiple occasions that the United States would intervene if the PRC attempted to invade Taiwan. However, White House officials maintained that this did not represent a change in US policy on Taiwan.
2021: Armed Forces Capped at 215,000
In 2021, the ROC Armed Forces' strength was capped at 215,000 personnel, with a 90% volunteer manning ratio.
2021: Port of Kaohsiung Cargo Volume
In 2021, the Port of Kaohsiung handled the largest cargo volume among Taiwan's seaports, accounting for 58.6% of the country's total throughput with approximately 440 million shipping tonnes.
October 2022: Taiwan's Global Economic Ranking
As of October 2022, Taiwan held the position of the 21st largest economy globally based on nominal GDP. Its rapid industrialization and growth during the latter half of the 20th century earned it recognition as one of the "Four Asian Tigers."
2022: Taiwanese Investments in China Reach US$200 Billion
By 2022, Taiwanese companies had invested over US$200 billion in China, with around 4,200 Taiwanese enterprises operating there and employing over 240,000 Taiwanese workers.
2022: Taiwan's Trade Performance
Taiwan recorded a total trade volume of US$907 billion in 2022, achieving record levels for both exports (US$479.52 billion) and imports (US$427.60 billion). China, the United States, and Japan emerged as Taiwan's top three trading partners, collectively contributing to over 40 percent of its total trade.
2022: High Ranking in Democracy Index
Taiwan secured the second-highest democracy score in Asia and Australasia in the Economist Intelligence Unit's 2022 Democracy Index.
2022: Taiwan's Baseball Success
Taiwan's men's baseball teams achieved a historic feat in 2022 by securing top-three medals in all levels of baseball, from U-12 to U-23 and Baseball5. They were the only team to achieve this in baseball history. Additionally, the women's softball team won the bronze medal at the World Games.
2022: Continued US Statements on Taiwan
US President Joe Biden reiterated his stance on potential PRC aggression towards Taiwan in 2022, stating that the United States would intervene. Despite these statements, White House officials insisted that US policy on Taiwan remained unchanged.
2022: Military Reservists and Defense Spending
As of 2022, Taiwan's military reservists numbered around 2.5 million, including 300,000 first-wave reservists. The government proposed defense spending equivalent to 2.4% of projected GDP, falling short of the proposed 3%.
March 2023: WBSC Rankings Update
In March 2023, Taiwan's men's baseball team held the world No. 4 spot, while the women's team achieved world No. 3 in the WBSC Rankings.
August 2023: Taiwan's Baseball5 Team Reaches World No. 1
Taiwan's Baseball5 team achieved the top spot in the WBSC Rankings in August 2023.
January 2024: William Lai Ching-te Elected President
In January 2024, William Lai Ching-te of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party won Taiwan's presidential elections. Notably, no party secured a majority in the simultaneous legislative election, a first since 2004.
2024: Military Service Extended
Taiwan will extend military service back to one year in 2024.
2024: Minguo Calendar Year
The year 2024 corresponds to the year 113 in the Minguo calendar (民國113年).
2025: Upcoming Summer World Masters Games
Taipei and New Taipei City are scheduled to host the Summer World Masters Games in 2025.
2030: Carbon Emission Reduction Target
The Taiwanese government aims to reduce carbon emissions by 20 percent in 2030, compared to 2005 levels.
2050: Carbon Emission Reduction Target
Taiwan aims to cut carbon emissions by 50 percent in 2050, compared to 2005 levels.