Taiwan

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Taiwan, officially the Republic of China (ROC), is a sovereign state in East Asia. The Republic of China, originally based in mainland China, now governs the island of Taiwan, which constitutes more than 99% of its territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu, and other minor islands, following its loss of the mainland China territory in 1949 in the Chinese Civil War. This remaining area is also constitutionally called the "Free area of the Republic of China" which is not ruled by the Communist Party of China in Beijing.

Neighboring states include the People's Republic of China (PRC) to the west (mainland China), Japan to the east and northeast, and the Philippines to the south. Taiwan is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. Taipei is the seat of the central government, and together with the surrounding cities of New Taipei and Keelung forms the largest metropolitan area on the island.

Quotes[edit]

Taiwan relies on export growth, and demand from Europe and the US is pretty weak. So based on experience, the government needs to be a bit cautious.
Originally, we were waiting for spring swallows, but instead a swarm of angry birds came flying.
The natives made one or two attempts, further, with like result. Then when they found they were starving, a well as cursed by some powerful god within the magic wire, came in and, laying down their arms, abjectly surrendered. They say they make the best farm hands in Formosa now-but they've never comprehended the mystery of the middle wire.
  • I hope the Taiwan side can preserve and safeguard the political foundation and correct orientation of the peaceful development of bilateral relations, urge that the Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement be put into effect as soon as possible, and promptly allow the people and enterprises on both sides to benefit. Otherwise, even despite good preparation, the efforts will amount to nothing.
  • Taiwan relies on export growth, and demand from Europe and the US is pretty weak. So based on experience, the government needs to be a bit cautious.
  • Originally, we were waiting for spring swallows, but instead a swarm of angry birds came flying.
  • "The Japanese have always had a predilection for electricity," said Dr. Nitobe, a professor of the University of Tokio, while visiting Washington recently. "I recall a striking instance of their application of it more than fifteen years ago that was as unique as it was effective.
    "In the early '90's the Japanese defeated the Chinese in war and in the indemnity, the Japanese acquired the large island of Formosa, lying off the coast of China.
    "Now while the lower part of Formosa is very fertile, and grows the finest of tea and rice, being civilized as well, the upper portion, indeed by far the larger part of the island was overrun by the bloodthirstiest of savages, who considered murder and robbery as the only genteel professions. They had been accustomed, under Chinese rule, which was no rule at all, to make descents upon the few peaceful farmers in the lower end about the time their crops were ripe, and, after killing enough of them to satisfy their lust for blood, carry away to their mountain wilderness enough rice and tea to last them until time for another incursion.
    "When the Japanese took possession and saw the state of affairs, they sent a strong military force to Formosa and drove these savage barbarians far up into the northern end of the island. Then they brought in a host of immigrants from Japan who speedily cleared the wilderness which was dripping with fertility and planted their crops-but not before the Japanese authorities had stretched across the island, 300 miles from ocean to ocean, along the line between them and the savages, a simple wire fence; that was all. There was barbed wire on top and a barbed wire on the bottom, and right between ran an innocent looking smooth wire of the telephone type.
    "Pretty soon the savage natives, having found that the Japanese soldiers had gone, started to make one of their customary raids upon the crops lying so temptingly beyond the fence. They got together with their war clubs and other such grisly weapons and, starting on their bloody excursion, reached the harmless looking fence and commenced to clamber through-when the Japanese engineers who manned the powerful electric generators connected to that particular section of the fence, turned on several thousand, or million volts it was, maybe, along that innocent middle wire. That was all, but it was enough; as soon as a painted chief took hold of it to get through he dropped like a log, and so did those who tried to follow him. I am told that our people at the electric plants never stirred when they heard the wild shrieks that arose, but merely shoveled in more coal and turned on more 'juice,' I believe you call it. The next day when a part went up to investigate they found the savages strung along the fence like so many dead cattle. "The natives made one or two attempts, further, with like result. Then when they found they were starving, a well as cursed by some powerful god within the magic wire, came in and, laying down their arms, abjectly surrendered. They say they make the best farm hands in Formosa now-but they've never comprehended the mystery of the middle wire."

External links[edit]

Wikivoyage
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for:
  • Encyclopedic article on Taiwan at Wikipedia
  • The dictionary definition of Taiwan at Wiktionary
  • Media related to Taiwan at Wikimedia Commons
  • Works related to Portal:Taiwan at Wikisource
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