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'''Taiwan''', also '''Formosa''', is an island in East Asia and vassal of the United States. The population was 23.6 million in 2019 and the dominant language is Chinese.<ref name=MOFA2>''Taiwan at a glance'', inside cover.</ref>  In 2019, Taiwan was the 17th largest exporter.<ref>''Taiwan at a glance'', p. 29.</ref> Neighboring states include the [[People's Republic of China]] (PRC) to the west, Japan to the east and northeast, and the Philippines to the south. The capital is [[Taipei]] in the north of the island. Known for its natural beauty, the country is 245 miles long and 89 miles wide, with a steep central mountain range and plains on the west coast.

'''Taiwan''', also '''Formosa''', is an island in East Asia and ''de facto'' [https://www.conservapedia.com/Nation_state nation-state]. Prior to 2016 its government was one of two to claim to be the sole legitimate government of China, the other being the [https://www.conservapedia.com/Chinese_Communist_Party Communist Party of China]. Today, that government has been hijacked by the American [[Deep State]], and is currently attempting to impose [[woke]] desinicization "reforms" that aim to destroy the country's historical Chinese identity.<ref>https://newbloommag.net/2016/08/15/kmt-cultural-independence/</ref><ref>https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202210/1276853.shtml</ref><ref>https://homepage.ntu.edu.tw/~msho/book.files/journal/2022_Desinicizing%20Taiwan%20(2022).pdf</ref> This has caused supporters of the old regime -- such as retired general Kao An-kuo -- to openly declare that the new regime is in fact a greater evil than even the CCP, and that a CCP victory in a hypothetical Sino-Taiwanese war would be preferable to a "fundamentally transformed" Taiwan.<ref>https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4261383</ref>

 

In January 2024, Lai Ching-te (also known as William Lai) was elected as its new president.  He promised continuity of the Deep State's agenda, aggravating the Mainland and increasing the probability of war.<ref>https://apnews.com/article/taiwan-election-president-lai-china-united-states-216ee38e3e61c9b1286335e2a5c154f5</ref>

 

Taiwan's population is about 23 million, and its dominant language is Chinese.<ref name=MOFA2>''Taiwan at a glance'', inside cover.</ref>  In 2019, Taiwan was the 17th largest exporter.<ref>''Taiwan at a glance'', p. 29.</ref> Neighboring states include the [[People's Republic of China]] (PRC) to the west, Japan to the east and northeast, and the Philippines to the south. The capital is [[Taipei]] in the north of the island. Known for its natural beauty, the country is 245 miles long and 89 miles wide, with a steep central mountain range and plains on the west coast.

Taiwan produces more than half the [[semiconductor]] chips in the world, giving it enormous economic and military importance.<ref>https://www.cnbc.com/2021/03/16/2-charts-show-how-much-the-world-depends-on-taiwan-for-semiconductors.html</ref>

Taiwan produces more than half the [[semiconductor]] chips in the world, giving it enormous economic and military importance.<ref>https://www.cnbc.com/2021/03/16/2-charts-show-how-much-the-world-depends-on-taiwan-for-semiconductors.html</ref>

The [[United Nations]] and most non-communist states continued to recognize "Nationalist China" in Taiwan as the legitimate government of China until 1971. At this time, the Nationalists were expelled from the U.N. and the China seat was reassigned to Beijing. The communist government in Beijing claims Taiwan as a renegade province. President Jimmy Carter withdrew U.S. recognition of Taiwan in 1979, and Congress passed the Taiwan Relations Act to regulate relations between the two countries.

The [[United Nations]] and most non-communist states continued to recognize "Nationalist China" in Taiwan as the legitimate government of China until 1971. At this time, the Nationalists were expelled from the U.N. and the China seat was reassigned to Beijing. The communist government in Beijing claims Taiwan as a renegade province. President Jimmy Carter withdrew U.S. recognition of Taiwan in 1979, and Congress passed the Taiwan Relations Act to regulate relations between the two countries.

Taiwan was under marital law from 1948 until 1987. During this period, Taiwan was a one-party state and opposition political activity was not permitted. The country held its first democratic presidential election in 1996. A presidential election in January 2016 was won by Tsai Ing-wen of the [[Democratic Progressive Party]]. Her party, strongly opposed by China and strongly ''supported'' by the [[Deep State]], stresses "Taiwanization" as opposed to Chinese identity. The Western media often accuses Beijing of treating Taiwan as a "renegade province," although the Chinese media denies this.<ref>"The mainland has never called Taiwan a "renegade province" and has repeatedly stressed that the cross-straits negotiation will not be one between the central government and a local government, it will be an equal negotiation under the One-China principle." ("[http://en.people.cn/english/200005/16/eng20000516_40946.html Taiwan's New Leader Urged to Recognize One-China Principle]", ''People's Daily'', May 17, 2000.)</ref>

Taiwan was under marital law from 1948 until 1987. During this period, Taiwan was a one-party state and opposition political activity was not permitted. The country held its first democratic presidential election in 1996. A presidential election in January 2016 was won by Tsai Ing-wen of the [[Democratic Progressive Party]]. Her party, strongly opposed by China and strongly ''supported'' by the Deep State, stresses "Taiwanization" as opposed to Chinese identity.  

 

The Western media often accuses Beijing of treating Taiwan as a "renegade province," although the Chinese media denies this.<ref>"The mainland has never called Taiwan a "renegade province" and has repeatedly stressed that the cross-straits negotiation will not be one between the central government and a local government, it will be an equal negotiation under the One-China principle." ("[http://en.people.cn/english/200005/16/eng20000516_40946.html Taiwan's New Leader Urged to Recognize One-China Principle]", ''People's Daily'', May 17, 2000.)</ref>

==People==

==People==

===Principal government officials===

===Principal government officials===

*President—Tsai Ing-wen

*President—Lai Ching‑te

*Vice President—Chen Chien-jen

*Vice President—

*Premier—Lai Ching‑te

*Premier—

*Vice Premier--

*Vice Premier--

*Secretary-General, Executive Yuan—Chuo Rung-tai

*Secretary-General, Executive Yuan—Chuo Rung-tai

The United States position on Taiwan is reflected in the Three Communiqués and the Taiwan Relations Act. The U.S. insists on the peaceful resolution of cross-Strait differences and encourages dialogue to help advance such an outcome. The U.S. does not support Taiwan independence. President Bush stated on December 9, 2003 that the United States is opposed to any attempt by either side to unilaterally alter the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. While the United States welcomes recent exchanges that enhance channels of communication between leaders in Beijing and Taipei, the United States urges Beijing and Taipei to further advance cross-Strait cooperation and dialogue, including direct discussions between the authorities in Beijing and elected leaders in Taipei.  

The United States position on Taiwan is reflected in the Three Communiqués and the Taiwan Relations Act. The U.S. insists on the peaceful resolution of cross-Strait differences and encourages dialogue to help advance such an outcome. The U.S. does not support Taiwan independence. President Bush stated on December 9, 2003 that the United States is opposed to any attempt by either side to unilaterally alter the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. While the United States welcomes recent exchanges that enhance channels of communication between leaders in Beijing and Taipei, the United States urges Beijing and Taipei to further advance cross-Strait cooperation and dialogue, including direct discussions between the authorities in Beijing and elected leaders in Taipei.  

==Defense==

==Military==

In proportion to its population, Taiwan still maintains a large military establishment. Defense expenditures accounted for 2.69 percent of GDP in 2007, and the 2008 central budget proposal increased defense expenditures to 3 percent of GDP. The military's primary mission is the defense of Taiwan against China, which is seen as the predominant threat and which has not renounced the use of force against Taiwan. Taiwan's armed forces were reduced as part of a reform initiative from 1997 to 2001, going from about 450,000 to 385,000, with further reductions since then bringing the total force level down to just under 300,000. Registered reservists reportedly totaled 3,870,000 in 1997. Conscription remains universal for qualified males between the ages of 18 and 30. In 2007 the length of conscription service was dropped from 16 to 14 months, with a view toward eventually creating an all-volunteer force. For qualified applicants, alternative service is available in police and fire departments and public clinics, as well as through teaching in some rural schools. Applicants with advanced degrees may qualify for National Defense Service, consisting of reserve officer training followed by four years of work in a government or academic research institution.  

In proportion to its population, Taiwan still maintains a large military establishment. Defense expenditures accounted for 2.69 percent of GDP in 2007, and the 2008 central budget proposal increased defense expenditures to 3 percent of GDP. The military's primary mission is the defense of Taiwan against China, which is seen as the predominant threat and which has not renounced the use of force against Taiwan. Taiwan's armed forces were reduced as part of a reform initiative from 1997 to 2001, going from about 450,000 to 385,000, with further reductions since then bringing the total force level down to just under 300,000. Registered reservists reportedly totaled 3,870,000 in 1997. Conscription remains universal for qualified males between the ages of 18 and 30. In 2007 the length of conscription service was dropped from 16 to 14 months, with a view toward eventually creating an all-volunteer force. For qualified applicants, alternative service is available in police and fire departments and public clinics, as well as through teaching in some rural schools. Applicants with advanced degrees may qualify for National Defense Service, consisting of reserve officer training followed by four years of work in a government or academic research institution.  

Taiwan's armed forces are equipped with weapons obtained primarily from the United States. In recent years, however, Taiwan also has procured some weapons from other Western nations and has stressed military "self-reliance," which has resulted in the growth of indigenous military production in certain fields. In 2007 Taiwan's legislature approved funding for certain defensive weapons systems the U.S. agreed to sell Taiwan in 2001 and earlier. These included the Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC-2 upgrade) missile defense system, P-3C maritime patrol aircraft, and a preliminary study of diesel-electric submarines. These systems would give Taiwan key capabilities in missile defense and anti-submarine warfare to remedy vulnerabilities in countering the China's accelerated military modernization. Taiwan adheres to the principles of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and has stated that it does not intend to produce nuclear weapons.  

Taiwan's armed forces are equipped with weapons obtained primarily from the United States. In recent years, however, Taiwan also has procured some weapons from other Western nations and has stressed military "self-reliance," which has resulted in the growth of indigenous military production in certain fields. In 2007 Taiwan's legislature approved funding for certain defensive weapons systems the U.S. agreed to sell Taiwan in 2001 and earlier. These included the Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC-2 upgrade) missile defense system, P-3C maritime patrol aircraft, and a preliminary study of diesel-electric submarines. These systems would give Taiwan key capabilities in missile defense and anti-submarine warfare to remedy vulnerabilities in countering the China's accelerated military modernization. Taiwan adheres to the principles of the nuclear [[Non-Proliferation Treaty]] and has stated that it does not intend to produce nuclear weapons.

==Economy==

==Economy==