Despite the People’s Republic of China’s obstruction, Taiwan has managed to either stay or become members of many important international organizations. Even though the ROC’s seat in many international organizations was replaced by the PRC after 1971, through countless efforts, Taiwan is able to have its voice heard somewhere in the international society.
The World Trade Organization (WTO) was created in 1994, world trade was mostly regulated under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), first signed by 23 countries (including the Republic of China) in 1948. However, when the Nationalists lost the civil war and retreated to Taiwan in 1949, the ROC government declared to withdraw from GATT due to political and economic instability. 16 years later in 1965, ROC re-entered GATT as an observer. This did not last long as in 1971 ROC lost its seat in the UN. GATT followed UN’s decision and revoked ROC’s status as an observer. After 30 years of development, Taiwan had become one of the world’s most successful economics, and its application to be a member of the WTO was accepted in 2001. Taiwan became the 144th member of the WTO on 1 January 2002, under the name of “Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu 台澎金馬個別關稅領域” (abbreviated as “Chinese Taipei”).
The People’s Republic of China became the 143rd member of WTO on 11 December 2001. Continue reading “International Organizations”
Ilha Formosa - Alt om Taiwan 