Watch CBS News

Country Fast Facts:Taiwan




Taiwan

moveClock(); //function call





(CBS)

In 1895, military defeat forced China to cede Taiwan to Japan. Taiwan reverted to Chinese control after World War II.

Following the Communist victory on the mainland in 1949, 2 million Nationalists fled to Taiwan and established a government using the 1946 constitution drawn up for all of China.

Over the next five decades, the ruling authorities gradually democratized and incorporated the local population within the governing structure.

In 2000, Taiwan underwent its first peaceful transfer of power from the Nationalist to the Democratic Progressive Party.

Throughout this period, the island prospered and became one of East Asia's economic "Tigers."

The dominant political issues continue to be the relationship between Taiwan and China - specifically the question of eventual unification - as well as domestic political and economic reform.

Source: CIA World Fact Book





View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.