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MOFA thanks ASDC for resolution supporting Taiwan

A resolution in support of Taiwan passed by the Executive Committee of the Association of State...

While Taiwan may be described as a predominantly Han Chinese society, with more than 95 percent of the population claiming Han ancestry, its heritage is actually much more complex. The successive waves of Chinese immigrants that began arriving in the 17th century belonged to a variety of subgroups with mutually unintelligible languages and different customs.Today in Taiwan, however, distinctions between them have become blurred as a result of extensive intermarriage and the universal use of Mandarin. Taiwan has been a melting pot not only of diverse Han subgroups, but also of indigenous Malayo-Polynesian peoples and immigrants from all over the world. Recent years, for example, have seen an influx of new arrivals from China and Southeast Asia, mostly through marriage. Currently, the number of new immigrants is nearly 500,000.

With its unique fusion of cultures, breathtaking scenery, diverse cuisine, exciting city life and well-developed hospitality industry, Taiwan is an ideal destination for many types of travelers. Citizens of 60 countries and territories are eligible for visa-exempt entry for a period of 30 or 90 days.

Taiwan occupies an important position in the global economy. It is a top player in the world’s information and communication technology industry as well as a major supplier of goods across the industrial spectrum. According to the World Trade Organization, Taiwan was the 16th largest exporter and 18th largest importer of merchandise in 2017. It was also one of the largest holders of foreign exchange reserves as of December 2017. Taiwan’s gross domestic product per capita reached US$24,337 in 2017. In terms of nominal GDP, Taiwan ranks close to Argentina and Sweden, while Taiwan’s GDP per capita expressed as purchasing power parity is similar to that of Austria and Denmark.