Previous governments’ policies towards Taiwan and Taiwan’s history

Taiwan policy: Follow the principles of "peaceful reunification, one country, two systems" and the eight propositions for developing cross-Strait relations at this stage and promoting the process of peaceful reunification of the motherland. We will never waver in adhering to the one-China principle and strive for peaceful reunification. Never give up, never change the policy of placing hope on the people of Taiwan, never compromise against "Taiwan independence" separatist activities, firmly grasp the theme of peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, sincerely seek benefits for compatriots on both sides of the Strait, seek peace for the Taiwan Strait region, and safeguard National sovereignty and territorial integrity, and safeguarding the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation. Adhering to the one-China principle is the political basis for the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations by successive governments.

Taiwan History: In ancient times, Taiwan was connected to the mainland. Later, due to crustal movement, the connected parts sank into the sea, forming a strait and the island of Taiwan appeared.

Most of Taiwan’s early residents immigrated directly or indirectly from mainland China. In 1971 and 1974, the earliest human fossils in Taiwan were discovered twice in Zuozhen Township, Tainan County, and were named "Zuozhen Man". Archaeologists believe that the "Zuozhen Man" came to Taiwan from the mainland 30,000 years ago. Together with the "Qingliu Man" and "Dongshan Man" discovered by archeology in Fujian, they belong to the late Homo sapiens in the southern region of the Paleolithic Age in China. They have * They all have different origins and have inherited some characteristics of Homo erectus in China. Among the early residents of Taiwan, there were also a small number of dwarf blacks belonging to the Negrito race and the Langqiao people of the Ryukyu race. The above-mentioned early residents of Taiwan are the ancestors of today’s ethnic minorities in Taiwan.

Taiwan’s recorded history can be traced back to 230 AD. At that time, Sun Quan, King of Wu of the Three Kingdoms, sent 10,000 officers and soldiers to "Yizhou" (Taiwan). Wu Shen Ying's "Linhai Land Chronicle" left the earliest record of Taiwan in the world. During the Sui and Tang Dynasties (589-618 AD), Taiwan was called "Liuqiu". The Sui Dynasty visited Taiwan three times. According to historical records, in 610 (the sixth year of Sui Dynasty), Han people began to immigrate to the Penghu area. By the Song and Yuan Dynasties (AD 960-1368), there were a considerable number of Han people in the Penghu area. After the Han people opened up Penghu, they began to develop into Taiwan and brought with them the advanced production technology of the time. In the middle of the 12th century AD, the Song Dynasty placed Penghu under the jurisdiction of Jinjiang County, Quanzhou, Fujian, and sent troops to guard it. The Yuan Dynasty also sent troops to Taiwan. The governments of the Yuan and Ming dynasties set up an inspection department in Penghu, which was responsible for patrolling, detecting criminals, and also running salt classes. In the late Ming Dynasty, the scale of development became larger and larger. In the era of war and famine, the Fujian authorities of the Ming Dynasty government and the Zheng Zhilong Group once organized organized immigration to Taiwan.

In the 16th century, Western colonial powers such as Spain and the Netherlands developed rapidly and began to extend their tentacles to the East. At the beginning of the 17th century, the Dutch colonists took advantage of the peasant uprising in the late Ming Dynasty and the growing power of the Manchus in the Northeast, and when the Ming government was in dire straits, they invaded Taiwan. Soon, the Spanish invaded some areas in the north and east of Taiwan. They were driven out by the Dutch in 1642, and Taiwan became a Dutch colony. The Dutch colonists implemented coercive rule, taking the land as their own, forcing the people to pay various taxes, plundering Taiwan's rice and sugar, and re-exporting the Chinese raw silk, sugar and porcelain they acquired through Taiwan to other countries, making high profits. The rule of the Dutch colonialists aroused the resistance of the Taiwanese people. In September 1652, peasant leader Guo Huaiyi led a large-scale armed uprising. Although this armed uprising was suppressed, it showed that the Dutch colonial rule was in crisis.

In 1644, the Qing army entered the Pass and established the Qing Dynasty regime in Beijing. In April 1661, Zheng Chenggong led 25,000 soldiers and hundreds of warships to march from Kinmen to Taiwan in the name of recruiting generals from the Southern Ming Dynasty. When Zheng Chenggong entered Taiwan, he told the Dutch colonists that Taiwan "has always belonged to China" and that "the residents of the two islands of Taiwan and Penghu are all Chinese, and they have occupied and cultivated this land since ancient times." The Netherlands "should It was returned to its original owner." After fierce fighting and siege, in February 1662, Zheng Chenggong forced the Dutch Governor Ku Yi to sign a surrender. Zheng Chenggong regained the Chinese territory of Taiwan from the Dutch colonists and became a great national hero, respected by the majority of the people.

In 1684, the Qing government set up a branch to inspect the Taiwan-Xiamen Military Preparatory Road and the Taiwan Prefecture, which were subordinate to Fujian Province. By 1811, Taiwan's population had reached 1.9 million, most of whom were immigrants from Fujian and Guangdong. A large number of immigrants reclaimed wasteland, turning Taiwan into an emerging agricultural region. They provided a large amount of rice and cane sugar to the mainland, as well as daily consumer goods and building materials imported from the mainland, which enabled Taiwan's economy to develop to a considerable extent. During this period, Taiwan had very close contacts with Fujian and Guangdong, and Chinese culture was introduced into Taiwan more comprehensively.

As Western powers invaded China’s borders, China experienced a border crisis. During the Sino-French War of 1884-1885, the French army attacked Taiwan and was severely damaged by Liu Mingchuan's army. By the signing of the "Sino-French New Treaty" in June 1885, the French army was forced to withdraw from Taiwan.

After the Sino-French War, in order to strengthen coastal defense, the Qing government classified Taiwan as a single province in 1885, making Taiwan the 20th province of China.

Liu Mingchuan, the first governor of Taiwan Province, actively implemented the New Deal of self-improvement, cleared land taxes, increased fiscal revenue, purchased ships, set up telegraph lines, established the General Post and Telecommunications Bureau, and built railways; purchased warships, added forts, set up a Machinery Bureau to manufacture self-made weapons; established a Coal Bureau, Install new coal mining machines; set up a company to revitalize the city, build streets and roads; establish Western School and Telegraph School to cultivate construction talents. Liu Mingchuan concentrated many new undertakings in one province, making Taiwan one of the advanced provinces in China at that time.

In 1894, Japan launched the Sino-Japanese War of 1894. The Qing government was defeated the following year and was forced to sign the humiliating Treaty of Shimonoseki on April 17, ceding Taiwan to Japan. After the news came out, the whole country was indignant and opposed the cessation of Taiwan; the whole province of Taiwan "wept loudly" and went on strike. Liu Yongfu, the general of the Qing army who assisted in Taiwan's military affairs, and others led the army and the people to resist the Japanese occupation. They persisted in the battle for more than five months and went through more than a hundred battles. The Japanese invaders paid a heavy price, but they were ultimately defeated. From then on, Taiwan became a Japanese colony for 50 years.

The people of Taiwan have never surrendered to Japanese colonial rule. In the early days of the Japanese occupation, the anti-Japanese armed forces, with farmers as the main body, fought for 20 years. Later, the Cultural Association, the People's Party, the Communist Party, etc. also organized and led the national resistance movement against Japanese colonial rule.

In July 1937, Japan caused the "July 7th Incident", and the Chinese people began the nation's anti-Japanese war. During the Anti-Japanese War, many Taiwan compatriots returned to the motherland to participate in the Anti-Japanese War and contributed to the victory of the Anti-Japanese War and the recovery of Taiwan. After the outbreak of the Pacific War in December 1941, the Chinese government issued the "China's Declaration of War against Japan" on December 9, clearly announcing to China and foreign countries: "All treaties, agreements, and contracts involving relations between China and Japan will be abolished. ."

In August 1945, Japan was defeated in World War II and announced its unconditional surrender on August 15. After eight years of heroic anti-Japanese war, the Chinese people finally regained Taiwan. Taiwan compatriots celebrated their return to the motherland with great joy. On October 25, the surrender ceremony of Taiwan Province in the Allied China Theater was held in Taipei. The surrender officer announced on behalf of the Chinese government: From now on, Taiwan and the Penghu Islands have officially reentered the territory of China, and all land, people, and political affairs have been placed under control. under Chinese sovereignty. At this point, Taiwan and Penghu returned to China's sovereign jurisdiction.