What AMERICANS need to know to benefit from an Emerging Asia
What Taiwan is or isn't, is a touchy subject. Essentially, the People's Republic of China on the mainland and the Republic of China on Taiwan both claim to be the legitimate government of all China. It's been that way since 1949 when the Communists took over the mainland, and the dispute wont be resolved any time soon. Both sides have agreed to disagree but keep a close eye on each other. Taiwan is also called Chinese Taipei in international organizations like the Olympics. It has a strong capitalist economy and is a major economic powerhouse in Asia.
LOCATION: Off the southeast coast of mainland China north of the Philippines.
SIZE: About 14 thousand square miles.
POPULATION: 23 million people.
PEOPLE: 98% Han Chinese, 2% Austronesian Aborigines
GOVERNMENT: A rather unique five branch system. The Premier is selected by the President without approval of the Legislature. The Legislature passes laws without regard for the President because he has no veto power. That gives the executive and legislative branches little incentive to work together.
CURRENCY: New Taiwan Dollar
LANGUAGE: Mandarin Chinese
ECONOMY: A powerful free market economy driven by exports. They have a significant trade surplus and the third highest foreign reserves in the world. Unlike Japan and South Korea, Taiwan is dominated by small to medium sized businesses. That has insulated them from some of the recent major economic downturns.
TRAVEL: Taipei is a major city with all the bustle you would expect. Taiwan has plenty of natural beauty that can be seen in its 6 national parks and 12 national scenic areas.
VISA: U.S. passport holders can enter Taiwan without a visa for up to thirty days (no extensions allowed) if they have a passport valid for at least six months from the date of entry into Taiwan and they have a confirmed return or onward air ticket.
GETTING THERE: Direct flights from the United States are provided by United Airlines, China Airlines, Eva Air, Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines. Connecting flights are available on Cathay Pacific Airlines through Hong Kong.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW: Taiwan's amazing economic growth and industrialization after 1949 is known as the Taiwan Miracle. It is one of the Four Asian Tigers along with the other fast developing economies of Hong Kong, Singapore and South Korea.
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