Republic of China Timeline of Events

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Republic of China

The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor islands...

Timeline of Events

1644

6.6.1644

The Qing Dynasty Manchu forces led by the Shunzhi Emperor capture Beijing during the collapse of the Ming Dynasty. The Manchus would rule China until 1912 when the Republic of China is established.

1911

10.10.1911

The Wuchang Uprising leads to the demise of Qing Dynasty, the last Imperial court in China, and the founding of the Republic of China.

12.29.1911

Sun Yat-sen becomes the provisional President of the Republic of China; he formally takes office on January 1, 1912.

1912

1.1.1912

The Republic of China is established.

2.12.1912

The Republic of China adopts the Gregorian calendar.

1914

3.1.1914

The Republic of China joins the Universal Postal Union.

1915

1.18.1915

Japan issues the "Twenty-One Demands" to the Republic of China in a bid to increase its power in East Asia.

12.12.1915

President of the Republic of China, Yuan Shikai announces his intention to reinstate the monarchy and proclaim himself Emperor of China.

1916

3.22.1916

The last Emperor of China, Yuan Shikai, abdicates the throne and the Republic of China is restored.

1922

8.2.1922

A typhoon hits Shantou, Republic of China killing more than 50,000 people.

1924

5.31.1924

The Soviet Union signs an agreement with the Peking government, referring to Outer Mongolia as an "integral part of the Republic of China", whose "sovereignty" therein the Soviet Union promises to respect.

1928

9.27.1928

The Republic of China is recognised by the United States.

1929

7.20.1929

Soviet troops attempt to cross the Amur River into Manchuria near Blagoveschensk as tensions mount between the Soviet Union and the Republic of China.

1932

2.18.1932

The Empire of Japan declares Manzhouguo (the obsolete Chinese name for Manchuria) independent from the Republic of China.

1936

12.12.1936

Xi'an Incident: The Generalissimo of the Republic of China, Chiang Kai-shek is kidnapped by Zhang Xueliang.

1941

12.8.1941

The United States and the Republic of China declare war against Japan.

12.9.1941

World War II: The Republic of China, Cuba, Guatemala, the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea, and the Philippine Commonwealth, declare war on Germany and Japan.

1943

9.13.1943

Chiang Kai-shek elected President of the Republic of China.

1945

1.28.1945

World War II: Supplies begin to reach the Republic of China over the newly reopened Burma Road.

9.9.1945

Second Sino-Japanese War: Japan formally surrenders to China.

10.25.1945

The Republic of China takes over administration of Taiwan following Japan's surrender to the Allies.

1948

5.18.1948

The First Legislative Yuan of the Republic of China officially convenes in Nanking.

1949

12.7.1949

Chinese Civil War: The government of Republic of China moves from Nanking to Taipei.

12.8.1949

The capital of the Republic of China is moved from Nanjing to Taipei, Taiwan.

1950

1.6.1950

The United Kingdom recognizes the People's Republic of China. The Republic of China severs diplomatic relations with the UK in response.

1954

9.3.1954

The People's Liberation Army begins shelling the Republic of China-controlled islands of Quemoy.

12.2.1954

The Sino-American Mutual Defense Treaty, between the United States and the Republic of China, is signed in Washington, D.C..

1964

2.11.1964

The Republic of China (Taiwan) breaks off diplomatic relations with France.

1971

10.25.1971

The United Nations seated the People's Republic of China and expelled the Republic of China (see political status of Taiwan and China and the United Nations)

1972

4.13.1972

The Universal Postal Union decides to recognize the People's Republic of China as the only legitimate Chinese representative, effectively expelling the Republic of China administering Taiwan.

9.29.1972

Sino-Japanese relations: Japan establishes diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China after breaking official ties with the Republic of China.

2007

2.13.2007

Taiwan opposition leader Ma Ying-jeou resigns as the chairman of the Kuomintang party after being indicted by the Taiwan High Prosecutors Office on charges of embezzlement during his tenure as the mayor of Taipei; Ma also announces his candidacy for the 2008 presidential election.