Taiwan in History

Visits Taiwan for the first time and attends events marking the anniversary of the island’s transfer from Japanese administration.

Orders Nationalist troops to Taiwan during the February 28 crisis; subsequent repression causes extensive civilian deaths and arrests.

Appoints Chen Cheng as Governor of Taiwan Province while preparing the island as an increasingly important Nationalist base.

Places Chiang Ching-kuo in charge of the Kuomintang organization in Taiwan Province as the party prepares for possible retreat from the mainland.

Drives the National Revolutionary Army under Chiang Kai-Shek into Taiwan

Orders Central Bank gold reserves transferred toward Taiwan as the Nationalist government prepares for possible loss of the mainland.

The Republic of China central government relocates to Taipei as Communist victory on the mainland becomes irreversible.

Leaves Chengdu for Taipei as the Nationalist government completes its relocation to Taiwan.

Advances land reform policies intended to reduce tenant burdens, broaden land ownership and strengthen the rural economy in Taiwan.

The United States announces plans to establish a Military Assistance Advisory Group in Taiwan to strengthen Nationalist defense capabilities.

The Executive Yuan announces the first Four-Year Economic Development Plan, beginning a sustained program of state-directed economic development.

Promulgates the Land-to-the-Tiller Act, transferring farmland from large landowners to tenant farmers under compensated reform.

General Sun Li-jen is placed under house arrest after a conspiracy investigation involving one of his subordinates, reflecting the authoritarian security system.

Construction begins on the Central Cross-Island Highway, a major infrastructure project linking eastern and western Taiwan.

Oversees expansion of local electoral institutions in Taiwan, including directly elected local representatives, magistrates and city mayors.

The Central Cross-Island Highway opens to traffic, completing one of Taiwan’s most ambitious infrastructure projects of the period.

Taiwan begins agricultural and economic cooperation programs with eleven African countries as part of the government’s diplomatic strategy.

Authorities arrest Peng Ming-min and associates after they prepare a declaration advocating political reform and Taiwanese self-determination.

Promotes the Chinese Cultural Renaissance Movement in Taiwan as an ideological and cultural response to the Cultural Revolution on the mainland.

Implements nine-year compulsory education, extending the previous six-year system and broadening access to secondary schooling.