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POLITICS AND DIPLOMACY

POLITICAL SYSTEM
POLITICAL SYSTEM
  • The ROC president and vice president are directly elected every four years.
  • In the ROC’s legislative elections, each voter casts one ballot for their district and another for at-large seats.
The ROC Constitution, promulgated on January 1, 1947, did not begin to serve its intended purpose as the foundation for democratic governance and rule of law until after 1987, when martial law was lifted in Taiwan.


。Government Agencies
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
  • More than 160 countries and territories accord visa-free, landing visa or e-visa privileges to ROC passport holders.
  • Taiwan is the only nation included in the US Visa Waiver Program that does not maintain official diplomatic relations with the United States.
The ROC is a sovereign and independent state that maintains its own national defense and conducts its own foreign affairs. As enshrined in the ROC Constitution, the country aims to "cultivate good-neighborliness with other nations, and respect treaties and the Charter of the United Nations … promote international cooperation, protect international justice and ensure world peace."
CROSS-STRAIT RELATIONS
CROSS-STRAIT RELATIONS
  • In December 1987, Taiwan lifted the ban on travel to mainland China for those with close relatives there.
  • The full relaxation of restrictions on Taiwan travelers visiting mainland China came into effect in December 2008 with the opening of direct flights.
Since the ROC government relocated to Taiwan in 1949, it has exercised jurisdiction over Taiwan proper, Penghu Islands, Kinmen Islands, Matsu Islands and a number of smaller islands, while mainland China has been under the control of the authorities in Beijing.