Chronology (English)

544	Portuguese vessel sailing to Japan spot Taiwan and refer to it as Ilha Formosa (beautiful island). This is the first mention of Taiwan in Western history.
1622	Dutch forces capture the Pescadores and build a base fromwhich Dutch ships control traffic through the Taiwan Strait.
1624	The Dutch reach an agreement with the Chinese government to evacuate from the Pescadores in return for establishing settlement on Taiwan. This marks the beginning of Dutch colonial rule of Taiwan. The Dutch begin construction of two strong forts, Zelandia (Anping) and Providencia (Sakkam, part of present-day Tainan).
1626	Spanish forces seize Keelung and from there expand its control over northern Taiwan. Fort San Salvador is built.
1628	Spanish forces seize Tamsui and build Fort San Domingo. Japanese settlers assault Dutch magistrate, but leave Taiwan under order from Tokugawa shogunate.
1639	Under the isolation policy of Tokugawa Bakufu, Japanese ships stop trading with Taiwan.
1642	Dutch forces capture major Spanish settlements in northern Taiwan, thereby consolidating control over the island.
1652	Quo Huai-I lead uprising against the Dutch.
1661	Cheng Ch'eng-kung, also known as Koxinya, defeats Dutch forces, marking the end of Dutch rule and the beginning of "Kingdom of Tung-tu" in Taiwan.
1683	Manchu replace the Cheng family as the new ruler of Taiwan. The imperial Peking designate Taiwan a dependency of the Fukien provincial administration.
1721	The rebellion of Chu I-kuei.
1729	Emperor of China forbids immigration to Taiwan-- death penalty for violation.
1786	The rebellion of Lin Song-wen.
1787	The rebellion of Ch'uang Ta-tien.
1806	The rebellion of Ts'ai Chien.
1854	American fleet lead by Commodore Perry anchors at Keelung.
1859	Spanish Catholic priests from San Domingo Mission arrive in Taiwan.
1860	Opening of Taiwan ports to the Western countries for trade. (Tamsui in 1862, Keelung in 1863, Anping and Takao in 1864).
1865	British Presbyterians begin frontier missionary work in southern Taiwan.
1872	Canadian Presbyterians begin missionary work in northern Taiwan.
1874	Japanese punitive expedition against aborigines for killing Ryukiu sailors. (Japanese deem Ryukiu is under their protection.) Japanese and Ch'ing governments signed Peking Treaty. A very able administrator and reformer, Shen Pao-cheng, is sent to Taiwan.
1885	Independent from Fu-kien, Taiwan is made a province of China and Liu Ming-chuan becomes the first governor of Taiwan.
1886	Liu Ming-chuan begins a series of reform.
1894	Capital of Taiwan is moved from Tainan to Taipei.
1895	Treaty of Shimonoseki concludes Sino-Japanese War; Taiwan is ceded to Japan "in perpetuity." Japanese government appoints Kabayama as the first governor of Taiwan. Unsuccessful attempt to form Republic of Taiwan. Japanese forces enter Taipei and begin to rule Taiwan.
1897	Taiwanese residents to choose nationality, deadline on May 8.
1898	Governor Gentaro Kodama and Magistrate Shinpei Goto come to office in March, begin overall land survey, and enforce tougher laws and bloody suppressive campaigns on the "rebels".
1899	Bank of Taiwan begins operation.
1914	An "Assimilation Society"(the Doka-kai) is found, urging the Japanese to treat Taiwanese within the empire as equals before the law.
1915	The Doka-kai to shortlive and dissolve in February.
1919	Kenjiro Hata, the first civil officer to become the governor of Taiwan.
1920	Taiwanese students at Tokyo found another association with the same objectives (the Domei-kai) and published a monthly, "Taiwan Youth".
1921	A number of Taiwan's most prominent, respected and wealthy leaders found a "Taiwan Cultural Society", which present a petition to the National Diet asking for Taiwanese representative government.
1923	The crown prince, Hirohito (later Emperor Showa) visits Taiwan on April 1. Another petition is addressed to the Diet, but this time the petition is suppressed as "rebellious document" and hundreds are arrested for investigation and their leaders are imprisoned.
1924	Lin Hen-tong presents twelve-point grievances to Japanese colonial government.
1927	"Taiwan Cultural Society" to split, and a political party, "Taiwan People's Party" is formed reaching a high point in the struggle for recognition.
1928	The first university (Taipei Imperial University) is established in Taiwan.
1930	"Taiwan People's Party", whose members include prominent businessmen, lawyers, doctors and wealthy landlords, is also suppressed by the colonial authority.
1934	The movement petitioning for establishing a representative government, which continues for 14 years, is ended at last.
1935	Taiwan witnesses its worst earthquake; more than three thousand die.
1941	Taiwan serves as the base for Japanese forces that attack Pearl Harbor and advance to Southeast Asia.
1942	The first batch of Taiwanese volunteers join the Japanese forces.
1943	Six-year compulsory education system is implemented.
1944	Conscription is enforced in Taiwan.
1945	World War II ends with Japan's surrender to the Allies. Based on Order No.1 issued by the Allied forces headquarters, Chiang Kai-shek's Kuomingtang forces to take over Taiwan from the Japanese. Taiwan becomes part of the Republic of China. Chinese officials grab at the opportunity of turning the "enemy properties" into personal gains. Foodstuffs are shipped in large quantities to the mainland China, result in endless price hikes.
1946	Repatriation of Japanese civilians in Taiwan is completed.
1947	Conflict between civilians and Monopoly Bureau agents who use excessive force on an old woman peddling untaxed cigarettes sparks an islandwide uprising. On February 28, a major rebellion breaks out against the rule of Nationalist Chinese Governor-General Chen Yi; it is put down with force, killing more than 20,000 Taiwanese.
1948	The island economy continue to disintegrate. Under martial law, the Taiwanese are silenced, cowed by continuing arrests, imprisonments, and executions. On Dec.29, General Chen Cheng is appointed governor of Taiwan.
1949	New Taiwan dollar is issues, exchanging 40,000 old Taiwan dollar to a new dollar. The U.S. State Department issue a controversial "White Paper" entitled United States Relations with China to explain Washington's decision to terminate its China aid programs. The government of the Republic of China flees to Taiwan after defeat on the mainland. Taipei becomes the provisional capital of the Kuomintang regime. In December, Wu Kuo-chen is named governor of Taiwan.
1950	Taipei breaks diplomatic relations with the U.K. after the latter establishes formal ties with Peking. In March, Chiang Kai-shek resumes the presidency of the Republic of China. He names General Chen Cheng president of the Executive Yuan or Premier. In June, as a result of the Korean War, U.S. President Truman announces "neutralization of Taiwan Strait" and sends the Seventh Fleet to the Taiwan Strait, blocking a planned invasion of Taiwan by Mao.
1951	U.S. aid to Nationalist China, now on Taiwan, is resumed. The American M.A.A.G.(Military Assistance and Advisory Group) begin operation in Taiwan. The Legislative Yuan adopts the "Farm Rent Reduction Act", which limits rent on farm land to 37.5 percent of the value of the crop, marking the first stage of Taiwan's land reform program. In September, forty-nine nations sign a peace treaty with Japan. China is not represented. Taiwan's status is not mentioned. In December, the Taiwan Provincial Assembly is established.
1952	In Auguest, a separate peace treaty between the Republic of China and Japan is signed. Teaching of Japanese and Taiwanese languages is prohibitted in Taiwan.
1953	In January, Legislative Yuan adopts Land-to-the-Tiller Program--the second phase of land reform. First "Four-year economic plan" is announced.
1954	Chiang Kai-shek is reelected president for a second six-year term. Yen Chia-kan is appointed governor of Taiwan. The National Assembly approves the indefinite extension of the Temporary Provisions of the Constitution. "Foreign Investment Regulations" is announced. On September 3, after a series of statements by Chinese leaders in Peking promising to "liberate" Taiwan, Communist forces launch an artillery bombardment of Quemoy, the largest of the offshore island held by the Republic of China. In December, U.S.-R.O.C. Defense Treaty is signed in Washington, D.C. Each side promises defense help to the other, but it is primarily seen as a U.S. security promise to Taiwan. The treaty is a response to the Offshore Islands crises.
1955	In August, General Sun Li-jen, a U.S.-trained military leader is arrested and imprisoned for life.
1956	On February 28, Dr. Liao Bun-gei forms the comtemporary government of Republic of Taiwan at Tokyo.
1958	August 23, the second Offshore Island Crisis begins with forces of the People's Republic of China firing on Quemoy. October 23, Chiang Kai-shek and U.S. Secretary of State John Foster Dulles issue a joint communique reaffirming their solidarity and stating that Quemoy and Matsu are "closely related" to the defense of Taiwan. The communique also states the use of force would not be the "principal means" to restore the freedom of the people of China.
1959	August 7, the worst floods in more than half a century hit central and southern Taiwan.
1960	"Taiwan Seinen" (TaiwanYouth), a monthly publication advocating Taiwan independence, starts in Tokyo. Publishing of this monthly continues for 37 years without interruption to this date. On the other hand, "Free China" magazine which is published in Taiwan is forced to closed down, and its publisher Rei Cheng is arrested and sentenced for ten-year imprisonment.
1961	So Tong-keh Incident. In September, a group of political dissidents headed by Soo Tong-keh, are arrested and imprisoned without trial.
1962	In November, General Huang Chieh is appointed governor of Taiwan.
1963	November 16, Yen Chia-kan becomes premier.
1964	On Feb. 23, Shigeru Yoshida, the former prime minister of Japan, visits Taiwan. In September, Dr. Peng Ming-bin, a well-known professor of Taiwan University, and his followers are arrested for printing a declaration calling for Taiwanese people to save themselves.
1965	January 13, Chiang Ching-kuo becomes the National Defense Minister.
1966	A One-hundred-fifty Million Dollars (U.S.) Loan Agreement is signed between R.O.C. and Japan governments. In May, President Liao Bun-geh of the contemporary government of Republic of Taiwan surrenders to the Kuomintang regime. The U.S. suspend its economic aid to Taiwan. On July 31, the U.S.and the R.O.C. sign an agreement on the status of U.S. military force in Taiwan. December 3, the Kaohsiung Export Processing Zone is inaugurated--the first of Taiwan's export processing zones that subsequently facilitate economic growth through exports.
1967	February 1, the National Security Council is formed, with Huang Shao-ku as its first secretary-general. On July 1, Taipei becomes a special municipality, with Henry Kao as its mayor. Aug. 15, the Executive Yuan extends period of compulsory education from six to nine years. Sept. 7, Eisaku Sato, Japan's prime minister visits Taiwan.
1968	June 25, Chiang Ching-kuo, Chiang Kai-shek's eldest son, is named vice-premier.
1969	The U.S. announces the Guam Doctrine, a new change in Asian policy, and as a result, the Seventh Fleet reduces its scale of patrol on Taiwan Strait. On Jan. 2, Peng Ming-min, who is under house arrest, successfully escapes from Taiwan. World United Formosans for Independence is formed overseas. Vice-Premier Chiang Ching-kuo visits the U.S.; an attempt is made on his life in New York by Taiwan independence advocates Huang Wen-shiung and Cheng Tse-chai.
1971	On Sept. 15, the U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger secretly visits China. October 25, Republic of China is "expelled" from the United Nations; the China seat is given to the People's Republic of China.
1972	On March 21, Chiang Kai-shek is elected to a fifth six-year term as president by the National Assembly. May 26, Chiang Ching-kuo becomes premier. On September 29, Japan severs diplomatic relations with Taipei.
1973	Taiwan begins a "Ten Major Construction Plan". On October 30, Tsengwen Dam and Reservoir, the largest in Taiwan, is inaugurated.
1975	On April 5, Chiang Kai-shek dies. April 6, Vice-President Yen Chia-kan becomes president. In May, Premier Chiang Ching-kuo is elected chairman of the Central Committee of the Kuomintang.
1976	On October 10, Wang Heng-nam attempts to assassinate a Kuomintang V.I.P. with a letter bomb.
1977	On August 16, Taiwan Presbyterian Church announces "The Human Rights Declaration", and appeals to the world to support establishing Taiwan as a new and independent nation. On November 19, cheating in local election on the part of Kuomintang candidate triggers a violent protest. Angry voters set fire on Chungli police station and police patrol cars.
1978	On March 21, Chiang Ching-kuo is elected president. On May 26, former Minister of Economic Affairs Sun Yun-suan is appointed premier. On December 15, U.S.President Carter announces that the U.S. will de-recognize the Republic of China and will establish diplomatic ties with the People's Republic of China.
1979	On Jan. 1, U.S. grants diplomatic recognition to Peoples Republic of China and breaks ties with the Republic of China. On April 15, the U.S. Congress passes a resolution, by an over-whelming majority, that Taiwan is seen as a sovereign nation-state (though it does not use the term Republic of China), unlike the Normalization Act signed by President Carter with the People's Republic of China, which states Taiwan is a part of China. On December 10, "Formosa" magazine supporters organize a rally and parade in Kaohsiung to commemorate Human Rights Day, but also to protest govenment policies which the opposition charges has caused Taiwan to become diplomatically isolated. The "Kaohsiung Incident" follows, during which more than one hundred people are injured--mostly police. Leaders of the protest are subsequently put on trial, including a number of opposition politicians.
1980	On February 28, Lin Yi-hsiung, a Provincial Assembly representative, while under arrest for taking part in the Kaohsiung Incident, his family members are gruesomely murdered. Eighteen men and women, who involve in the Kaohsiung Incident, are indicted and sentenced for imprisonment. On December 25, the "Hsinchu Scientific Industrial Zone" for developing hightech industry is inaugurated.
1981	On July 3, Dr. Chen Bun-seng, associate professor of an American university, is found dead lying in the campus of Taiwan University.
1983	In Sept.,"Tang-Wai" Editors and Writers Club is formed.
1984	On Feb. 25, "Tang-Wai" Public Servents Public Policy Study Group is formed. Oct. 16, Chiang Nan, author of the "Biography of Chiang Ching-kuo" , is killed in his U.S. residence by assassins.
1985	On August 17, U.S. President Ronald Reagan urges Kuomintang to speed up democratization in Taiwan.
1986	In September, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), made up of opposition politicians, announces its formation. On November 6, the DPP holds its first assembly and releases a draft of its charter and platform. In December, the nation holds its first two-party election, with the Kuomintang competing against the DPP. The KMT wins.
1987	On June 23, the Legislative Yuan passes the National Security Law that will replace Martial Law. On July 15, the Emergency Decree, generally called martial law, is terminated. The National Security Law goes into effect. In October, Minister of Interior Wu Poh-hsiung announces that residents of Taiwan may apply for permits to travel to China.
1988	In January, new regulations go into effect allowing new newspapers to publish and all papers to increase the number of pages printed. On January 13, President Chiang Ching-kuo dies. Vice-President Lee Teng-hui is sworn in as president--Taiwan's first native-born president. On January 27, President Lee Teng-hui is elected chairman of the Kuomintang. On March 14, Tong Kuei-shen, the killer-suspect of Chiang Nan case, admits in California court that "the assassination is ordered by Chiang Hsiao-wu, the second son of Chiang Ching-kuo". DPP passes "April 17 Resolution", stating that "Taiwan is an independent nation; is not a part of China; any change of its international position needs concurrence by the residents of Taiwan. On July 7, the Kuomintang opens its 13th Party Congress. The ruling party democratizes many of its rules and procedures and elects a majority of Taiwanese to its powerful Central Standing Committee. The average GNP, the national per capita income reaches US$6,333.00. Taiwan becomes a "high income" country and Asia's capital exporter second only to Japan.
1989	On Jan.18, the Taiwan Affair Office is formed in China's State Department. On April 7, Cheng Nan-rong, the publisher of "Free Time" magazine, burns himself to death in protest to Kuomintang regime for freedom of press. Population of Taiwan exceeds 20,000,000. On December 2, in the first national election since the martial is lifted, the Democratic Progressive Party wins a major victory, gaining a sufficient number of seats in the Legislative Yuan to propose legislation and wins in district and city executive races where forty percent of the population of the country reside. On Dec. 5, Chief of Staff, General Hau Po-ch'ung is appointed the Minister of National Defense.
1990	On March 21, President Lee Teng-hui is reelected President for a six-year term by the National Assembly in an uncontested vote--though Lin Yang-kang, a popular Taiwanese politician, and Chiang Wei-kuo, Chiang kai-shek's second son, challenged Lee. President Lee meets with 4,000 pro-democracy students that had occupied Chiang Kai-shek Square for six days and pledges democratic reform. President Lee promises, among other things, a National Affairs Conference in June to discuss issues such as the composition of elected bodies of government. In April, President Lee announces the termination of the "Period of Mobilization", thereby ending the state of war with China. He also announces the end to the Temporary Provisions to the Constitution that made it legal to circumvent parts of the Constitution and keep members of elected bodies of government frozen in their jobs. In May, President Lee, in his inauguration address (to his second term as president), announces opening channels of communication to China. President Lee appoints General Hau Po-ch'ung as premier, causing opposition protest. President Lee also announces amnesty for political prisoners. On July 4, National Affairs Conference ends after suggesting popular election of president and mayors of Taipei and Kaohsiung, and other reforms. Delegates to the Conference include members of the ruling party, the opposition Democratic Progressive Party, and academics.
1991	In January, the Executive Yuan approves a Six-Year Development Plan aimed at improving the nation's economic infrastructure. Plan will cost over $300 billion (U.S.). Premier Hau says the plan will elevate Taiwan to the top twenty nations in the world in per capita income by the end of the century. In May, President Lee announces the end of the "Period of National Mobilization for the Suppression of the Communist Rebellion," formally ending the state of war with the People's Republic of China. In May, government authorities in China announce that Taiwan has replaced Japan and the U.S. as the number-one investor in the mainland China. In December, the old First National Assembly is dissolved and all the representatives and legislators resign. An election is held to pick a new National Assembly. This is the first national election that is not a supplementary election. The KMT wins and, according to some observers, gains a democratic mandate.
1992	On February 28, official report on the "Feb. 28 Incident", is released. The report, issued by the "Feb. 28 Incident Research Task Force" formed by President Lee Teng-hui in December 1990, cites as the causes of the incident Governor Chen Yi, lack of military discipline, resentment of military rule, over-expectations of the people in the Nationalist government, an imbalance in political participation in favor of mainland Chinese, an unstable economy, inflation and poor living conditions, etc. This report, which calls the incident tragic and something "that could have been avoided," also blames Chiang Kai-shek for failing to punish responsible officials--the first time Chiang is criticized by any official body. On May 16, Taiwan's sedition law (Article 100 of Criminal Code) is revised, making it no longer a crime to advocate Taiwan independence or Communism. On July 31, Taiwan Garrison Command is abolished. Coastal Patrol Command is created to assume role of control of coastline and smuggling. On August 22, South Korea breaks diplomatic relations with Taipei and establishes ties with China--the last important Asian country to do so. On September 29, Taiwan is granted observer status in the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade as the "Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu." On Nov. 1, Peng Ming-min, known as the father of Taiwan independence, returns to Taiwan after 22 years in exile in the U.S. On December 19, Taiwan holds its first non- supplementary Legislative Yuan election. The opposition Democratic Progressive Party wins 50 seats, increasing its representation from 14.4 percent to 31.1 percent in what is considered a stunning victory. The KMT, while winning a large majority of 96 seats, sees its percent of seats drop from 74 to 63 percent. The KMT's "defeat" results in part from factionalism and disunity in the ruling party. The voter turnout is over 72 percent.
1993	On January 4, President Lee Teng-hui gives the first ever state-of-the-nation address to the National Assembly. His speech is followed by shouting and fighting over the issue of Taiwan independence. On February 4, Premier Hau and cabinet resign ending weeks of political uncertainty while setting a precedent for cabinet dissolution following a legislative election. On February 27, Lien Chan is sworn in as premier, the first Taiwanese to hold that office. On April 9, President Lee announces that Taiwan will actively seek participation in the United Nations while calling for international support in this effort. On April 27, two days of talks between representative of China and Taiwan begin in Singapore. The so-called Koo-Wang Talks are considered a historical breakthrough. On June16, the Legislative Yuan passes a "sunshine law" requiring high government and public officials to make their financial records public. In August, ex-Kuomintang politicians form the "New Party".
1994	In March, twenty-four Taiwanese tourists are found massacred in the scenic Thousand Islands Lake in Hangchow, China. On May 6, a dialogue, exchanged between President Lee Teng-hui and well-known Japanese writer, Ryotaro Shima, entitled "The Tragedy of Being Born As a Taiwanese", is published by the "Asahi Weekly" magazine. On September 18, Dr. Lee Yuan-tze, a Nobel-prize winner, returns to Taiwan to head the Central Study Yuan. In the first popular election for governor and mayors ever held in Taiwan, Chen Sui-pen of Democratic Progressive Party wins and becomes the mayor of Taipei.
1995	On January 30, the Chinese New Year's eve, China's Premier Chiang Ze-min announces "Chiang's 8-points Proposal " for "peaceful" reunification. On February 28, Peng Ming-bin joins the Democratic Progressive Party, and announces that he will run for the presidency(Feb. 30). On April 8, President Lee Teng-hui announces "Lee's Six Principles" in response to Premier Chiang Ze-min's "8-points Proposal". June 8, President Lee Teng-hui visits the U.S. as an alumnus of Carneil University. In July, China launches test missiles at East Sea.
1996	On March 23, for the first time in Taiwan history, an election for Taiwan President and Vice President takes place. As a result, Lee Teng-hui and Lien Chan win a sweeping victory with 54 percent of popular votes.