Taiwan (Republic of China)
The following is a resource guide for educators, researchers, and students interested in learning about Taiwan. Please note that the resources gathered are not exhaustive, and we encourage readers to pursue additional resources. If you would like to suggest a resource, please send an email to gweanrc@gwu.edu.
Here are some basic facts about Taiwan (as of January 2022):
- Capital: Taipei (臺北市)
- Currency: New Taiwan dollar (NT$)
- President: Tsai Ing-wen (7th)
- Government: Unitary semi-presidential republic; multiparty unicameral legislature
- Official Language: Mandarin (Chinese; 普通話); other significant national languages: Holo (Taiwanese); Hakka; Austronesian languages
- Population: 23,572,052 (July 2021 est.)
- Land Area: 32,260 sq km (slightly larger than New Mexico)
- Population Density: 673 per Km2 (about 18 times larger than the United States)
- Writing Systems: Traditional Chinese (繁体字)
Learn more on the CIA World Factbook page for Taiwan!
Overview
Taiwan is the 7th largest economy in Asia. The People’s Republic of China (PRC) have identified Taiwan as part of its territory and its most important core interest since the Kuomintang (KMT; the Nationalist Party) government retreated to the island in 1949 following its defeat in the Chinese Civil War. Taiwan is surrounded by states such as the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to the west, Japan to the northeast, and the Philippines to the south. The island of Taiwan has an area of 35,808 square kilometres (13,826 sq mi). Taiwan’s mountain ranges dominate the eastern two thirds and plains in the western third, where its highly urbanised population is concentrated. Taipei is the capital and largest metropolitan city of Taiwan.
From as far back as six thousand years ago, the Taiwanese indigenous peoples settled the island of Taiwan. In the 17th century, Dutch rule opened the island to mass Han immigration. After a brief rule by Spain and later the Kingdom of Tungning, the island was annexed in 1683 by the Qing dynasty of China, and ceded to the Empire of Japan in 1895. Following the surrender of Japan in 1945 after World War II, the Republic of China, which had overthrown and succeeded the Qing in China in 1911, took control of Taiwan on behalf of the World War II Allies. The PRC has claimed sovereignty over Taiwan since the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949, when the defeated Nationalist government fled to the island as the Communists, under Mao Zedong, swept to power.
Taiwan is a semi-presidential republic with a popularly elected president – currently Dr. Tsai Ing-wen, who appoints the head of government. It is a developed country which ranks 15th in GDP per capita. Its export-oriented industrial economy is the 21st-largest in the world, with major contributions from steel, machinery, electronics and chemicals manufacturing. The state is ranked highly in terms of political and civil liberties, education, health care and human development. The United States is one of Taiwan’s most important economic and security partners. Despite its diplomatic isolation, Taiwan has become one of Asia’s major economic players, and one of the world’s top producers of computer technology.
References
“Geography Statistics Of Taiwan,” WorldAtlas. Retrieved from https://www.worldatlas.com/about.htm
“Taiwan Population (LIVE),” Worldometers.info. Retrieved from https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/taiwan-population/
“The Official Website of the Republic of China.” Government Portal of the Republic of China, Taiwan, www.taiwan.gov.tw/about.php.
“Taiwan Country Profile.” BBC News, BBC, 1 Feb. 2019, www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-16164639.
“World Bank Country and Lending Groups.” World Bank Country and Lending Groups – World Bank Data Help Desk, datahelpdesk.worldbank.org/knowledgebase/articles/906519.
Jioufen “a-mei-teahouse” in Keelung Taiwan 九份 阿妹茶樓
Credit: Jerry Lai
For more information on Taiwan and related resources, please click the “Taiwan Resources PDF” button below.
K-12 Resources for Students & Teachers
Below are links to useful resources that could be found online. Please click the individual hyperlinks to find out more about these resources. For more information, please look through the Taiwan Resources (PDF) file.
History, Culture, Language, and Traditions
Religions in Taiwan
A brief introduction to Taoism (Daoism), Buddhism, Christianity, and other religions in Taiwan.
Taiwan Culture Toolkit
Taiwan’s Ministry of Culture has designed and created the Taiwan Culture Toolkit, a multilingual website platform that includes literature, cinema, fine arts, and traditional performing arts.
History Timeline
History Timeline is a thorough historical timeline about Taiwan that focuses on recorded history dating from about 400 years ago to the present, assembled by the Taiwan government.
Taiwan: Facts and History
Taiwan: Facts & History is a friendly pocket guide for quick facts on Taiwan including its government, population, religion, language, climate, geography, economy, and history.
“Contested (Post)coloniality and Taiwan Culture: A Review Article of New Work by Yip and Ching.”
An interesting peer-reviewed article on post-colonial Taiwan and issues that propelled new theoretical development. This article examines the idiosyncrasies and covers two recent monographs on colonial Taiwan (1895-1945) and postcolonial Taiwan (1960s-1990s) by two US-based scholars: June Yip’s Envisioning Taiwan: Fiction, Cinema, and the Nation in the Cultural Imaginary and Leo T.S. Ching’s Becoming “Japanese”: Colonial Taiwan and the Politics of Identity Formation.
Beautiful Landscapes in Taiwan
Taiwan is blessed with some of the highest mountains on any island in the world, stunning coastal scenery and forests exceptionally rich in wildlife and birdlife. Its towns and cities showcase a fascinating blend of modernity and tradition. This wonderful resource provides you details on different regions of Taiwan. A great travellers guide!
Taiwan’s Culture & Festivals
Taiwan’s Culture & Festivals insights into Taiwan’s indeginious festivals, parades, events, and public holidays. Modern Taiwanese culture blends Chinese, Austronesian, Japanese and Western influences. Because Taiwan never experienced Communist oppression, visitors have opportunities to witness traditional religious practices and ancient customs that have disappeared from the Chinese mainland.
Languages Spoken in Taiwan
What languages do people speak in Taiwan? The Taiwan News provides a brief overview and map of the 22 languages spoken in Taiwan.
Politics and Contemporary Topics
Advancing 21st Century Competencies in Taiwan
The nine-year curriculum and twelve-year curriculum are two of the major education innovations in the past 20 years in Taiwan. Advancing 21st Century Competencies in Taiwan is a very detailed resource on the evolving Taiwan’s schooling system, competency framework, policy & practices, issues and challenges.
What is behind the China-Taiwan divide?
China sees Taiwan as a breakaway province that will eventually be part of the country again, but many Taiwanese want a separate nation. The dispute with China has left relations frayed and a constant threat of a violent flare up that could drag the US into the fray. You can learn where they are at now from What is behind the China-Taiwan divide?
Global Taiwan Brief – Global Taiwan Institute (GTI)
The Global Taiwan Brief is a bi-weekly publication released every other Wednesday and provides insight into the latest news on Taiwan. Each brief will contain about 4 short policy-oriented articles plus an Editor’s column.
Politics in Taiwan
The Republic of China was founded by Dr. Sun Yat-sen in 1912 and is a sovereign state, which is described in the Constitution as “a democratic republic of the people, by the people, and for the people.” You can learn a detailed description of the political and electoral system in Taiwan from Politics in Taiwan.
Taiwan – Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS)
Part of CSIS’ China Power Project, this program studies the economic, political, and security dimensions of relations between and among Taiwan, the U.S. and mainland China. The program draws particular focus on U.S.-Taiwan political and security relations, cross-strait economic and political ties, China’s growing regional influence, Taiwan’s role in the global community, and the impact of leadership transitions in Taiwan, the U.S. and China on U.S.-China-Taiwan relations.
American Institute in Taiwan (AIT)
The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) is a non-profit, private corporation established shortly after the United States Government changed its diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing on January 1, 1979. Servicing the roles that parallel a traditional U.S. embassy, the AIT website has a wealth of information on the U.S.-Taiwan relationship.
DIGI+ Taiwan
Aligning with the national policy directory “Digital Nation, Smart Island,” the Taiwanese government has promoted the “Digital Nation & Innovative Economic Development Program (DIGI+) 2017-2025,” which is intended to enhance digital infrastructure, re-construct a service-based digital government and realize a fair and active internet society with equal digital rights.
News, Magazines, and Journals
Taipei Times
The Taipei Times launched on June 15, 1999, with the mission of presenting a voice long absent in the Taiwanese media: an English-language journal of record for national and international readers, presented from a Taiwanese perspective.
Taiwan Today
Taiwan Today is a relaunch of Taiwan Journal, an English-language weekly newspaper first published in 1964. Taiwan Today covers various aspects of Taiwan including arts, economics, environment, politics and society.
Taiwan News
Taiwan News began publication in 1949 as the first English-language newspaper in Taiwan. Its ongoing mission is to report on both Taiwanese society as well as modern global trends, building a bridge of communication between cultures and nations.
Taiwan Review
Taiwan Review is a general-interest monthly publication providing in-depth discussion of various aspects of Taiwan including arts, economics, environment, politics and society.
Focus Taiwan (CNA English News)
The Central News Agency (CNA) is the national news agency of the Republic of China (ROC) and the most influential news organization in Taiwan. Since its establishment, CNA has maintained a high standard of professionalism while keeping up with the times by adopting new technology in the digital era.
Lesson Plans And Activity Ideas
Below are websites that provide lesson plans and fun activity ideas on Taiwan-related topics separated by appropriate grades. Please click the individual hyperlinks to find out more about these resources.
Elementary (PreK – Grade 5)
| Breaking News English |
| Taiwan Country Study Distance Learning (fee-based) |
| TAIWAN – Postcard Writing Activity (fee-based) |
Middle School (Grade 6 – 8)
High School (Grade 9 – 12)
General Materials For Class
Council on Foreign Relations
The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is an independent, nonpartisan membership organization, think tank, and publisher dedicated to being a resource for its members, government officials, business executives, journalists, educators and students, civic and religious leaders, and other interested citizens in order to help them better understand the world and the foreign policy choices facing the United States and other countries.
Education About Asia: Online Archives
Browse and download over 1,500 articles – feature articles, lesson plans, interviews, classroom resources, and book and film reviews — from twenty-four years of Education About Asia (EAA).
Exchange Programs for Students
Below are some exchange programs that high school students can participate in order to gain a deeper understanding of Taiwanese culture and language. Please click the individual hyperlinks to find out more about these resources.
ASSE High School Exchange Program Taiwan
Program Description:
As an ASSE exchange student in Taiwan you will have the unique opportunity of experiencing first hand the amazing contrast created by the beauty and serenity of the Taiwanese countryside, and the hustle and bustle of the rapidly growing city of Taipei. Spend an ASSE exchange year in a land of such fascinating polarity, learning the language and immersed in the culture, gain a priceless insight into a culture so vastly different from your own.
Eligibility: High School Student
Fee: School Year: $9950; Summer Immersion: $7500
Scholarship: Available
Meiji Taiwan Internship
Program Description:
Meiji’s internships are individually customized to suit students needs. You will have the chance to further deepen your expertise in your current professional field or equip yourself with a completely new skillset. Learn more about the different industries and their emphasis on certain areas of business.
Eligibility: 18 years+
Fee: Price Calculator
Scholarship: Available
Exchange Programs for Teachers
Teach in Taiwan
Foresight International Education Center is a Taiwanese company specializing in international education experiences for Taiwanese students and international teachers. They partner with leading international education specialists to deliver educational programs within Taiwanese schools while also creating opportunities for teachers from around the world.
Institutions and Organizations in the DMV Area
Taiwan Resource Center (TRC) at the George Washington University
The TRC, the only one of its kind in the United States, was established in December 2004 to provide a specialized collection of resources for advanced study and research on Taiwan and is open to all researchers actively engaged in the study of Taiwan regardless of institutional affiliation.
Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office
Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO) is the Republic of China’s principal representative office in the United States. As such, TECRO in the United States is responsible for maintaining and developing bilateral relations between Taiwan and the United States. TECRO is headed by Representative Stanley Kao with support from Deputy Representative Christine Hsueh and Deputy Representative Louis Huang.
GTI is a non-profit policy incubator dedicated to insightful, cutting-edge, and inclusive research on policy issues regarding Taiwan and the world. GTI’s mission is to enhance the relationship between Taiwan and other countries, especially the United States, through policy research and programs that promote better public understanding about Taiwan and its people.
Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS)
The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is a bipartisan, nonprofit policy research organization dedicated to advancing practical ideas to address the world’s greatest challenges.
The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, DC. Our mission is to conduct in-depth research that leads to new ideas for solving problems facing society at the local, national and global level.
The Wilson Center, chartered by Congress in 1968 as the official memorial to President Woodrow Wilson, is the nation’s key non-partisan policy forum for tackling global issues through independent research and open dialogue to inform actionable ideas for the policy community.
The National Bureau of Asian Research (NBR)
Our mission is to conduct advanced independent research on strategic, political, economic, globalization, health, and energy issues affecting U.S. relations with Asia. Drawing upon an extensive network of the world’s leading specialists and leveraging the latest technology, NBR bridges the academic, business, and policy arenas.
The Project 2049 Institute is a nonprofit research organization focused on promoting American values and security interests in the Indo-Pacific region. We specialize in open-source research using Chinese language sources to inform policy debate and advance public education. Our core mission is to create and disseminate knowledge that makes the region more peaceful and prosperous.
The U.S.-Taiwan Business Council (USTBC)
USTBC is a membership-based, non-profit trade association founded in 1976 to support investment, trade, and commerce between the United States and Taiwan.
Established by the U.S. Congress in 1960, the Center serves as a resource for information and analysis on critical issues of common concern, bringing people together to exchange views, build expertise, and develop policy options. The Center is an independent, public, nonprofit organization with funding from the U.S. government, and additional support provided by private agencies, individuals, foundations, corporations, and governments in the region.
The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
In an increasingly crowded, chaotic, and contested world and marketplace of ideas, the Carnegie Endowment – a global think tank with offices in Belgium, China, India, Lebanon, Russia, and Washington, D.C. – offers decision makers global, independent, and strategic insight and innovative ideas that advance international peace.
Hudson guides public policy makers and global leaders in government and business through a vigorous program of publications, conferences, policy briefings, and recommendations.
The mission of The Heritage Foundation is to formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense.
The Center for a New America Security (CNAS)
The Center for a New American Security (CNAS) is an independent, bipartisan, nonprofit organization that develops strong, pragmatic, and principled national security and defense policies. Their site offers several expert articles on issues regarding the Taiwan Strait.
The United States Institute of Peace (USIP)
The United States Institute of Peace is a national, nonpartisan, independent institute, founded by Congress and dedicated to the proposition that a world without violent conflict is possible, practical, and essential for U.S. and global security.
Events in the DMV Area
DC Chinese New Year Parade – January or February
Washington, D.C. celebrates the Chinese New Year with a parade in Chinatown featuring traditional Chinese Dragon Dance, Kung Fu demonstrations and live musical entertainment. Each year a parade is held in Chinatown in Washington, D.C. to celebrate the Chinese New Year. The event is hold by the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (CCBA).
KC Chinese New Year – January to February
The Kennedy Center celebrates Chinese New Year with weeks of family fun including Kennedy Center Chinese New Year Family Day. 10,000 twinkling lights will make for a magical experience. Free activities for all ages including arts and crafts, traditional costume photo booth, zodiac stickers, demonstrations of sugar painting and wood block printing, magic shows and more.
Compiled by NRC Curriculum Developer, Shruthi Shree Nagarajan and Aika Okishige
EAST ASIA NATIONAL RESOURCE CENTER
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