Taiwan's Political Evolution since 1979: A Personal Perspective

Abstract

In January 1979 the Republic of China (ROC) government in Taipei was derecognized as a result of United States recognition of the government in Beijing as the legitimate government of all of China. Devastated and demoralized as it was, the ROC government was determined to face the crisis and find a pathway to survive and prosper under new circumstances. It reset plans and priorities by focusing on improving the economic and social life of local citizens, instituted new reforms, encouraged civil society and democratic development, while dismantling the institutional bodies from the mainland to reflect the realities on the island. Taiwan's political evolution was accelerated dramatically both domestically and externally. Without repeating many of the domestic changes, this essay focuses mainly on three issues in Taiwan's external relations − 1) conduct of unofficial government relations, 2) question of Taiwan sovereignty, and 3) arms sales under Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) – all three imbued with heavy doses of varying political as well as legal interpretations without foreseeable resolutions.