No single publication, no matter how comprehensive and detailed, can fully de-pict the entirety of what the Republic of China accomplishes in a single year, let alone a century. Nevertheless, the goal of The Republic of China Yearbook is to capture, chronicle and convey the essence of economic, social, political and cultural progress and development since the ROC was founded in 1912, with a focus on the achievements in recent decades of prosper-ity, freedom and democracy on Taiwan.

As in past editions, the textual summary and analysis is supplemented by pertinent photographs, charts and tables. The facts and figures herein are as up-to-date as possible before publication. The Government Infor-mation Office gratefully acknowledges all the official agencies and organizations that have provided information and helped verify the accuracy of this publication’s content. It is a collective effort aimed at providing read-ers of all walks of life with reliable and au-thoritative information about Taiwan today.

This includes the recovery of exports following the end of the global financial crisis and implementation of the Cross-Straits Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement signed with mainland China in 2010. Also detailed are the growth of visits to Taiwan by tourists from mainland China, the impact of the Taipei International Flora Exposition and the performance in 2010 of the various sectors of Taiwan’s economy that led to its jump to 6th overall in the World Competitiveness Yearbook 2011.

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Description is provided regarding the ROC government-led initiative to capitalize on this enhanced competitiveness and attract inward foreign investment in Taiwan’s key emerging industries— biotechnology, tourism, green energy, health care, high-end agri-culture and the cultural and creative sector. Also discussed are the economic and political implications of the mergers and upgrading of major population areas in northern, central and southern Taiwan to form new special municipalities in 2010.

Chapters on Taiwan’s geography, culture, society, media, edu-cational and religious practices, politics, as well as its accomplish-ments in sports, science and technology, environmental protection and public health provide background facts and updated statistics. Although this is inevitably just a static “snapshot” of the changes in so many aspects taking place in Taiwan, the content is presented with the aim of giving readers a dynamic sense of what makes the ROC such a special part of East Asia.

With the exception of certain personal and place names, Mandarin Chinese terms and names are rendered in Hanyu Pin-yin throughout the work. Unless otherwise indicated, U.S. dollar figures for 2009, 2010 and Q1 2011 are based, respectively, on average exchange rates of NT$33.05, NT$31.64 and NT$29.51 per US$1, as calculated by the Central Bank of the ROC.

This year’s edition is being published during the 100th year of the ROC as the various achievements and triumphs over adver-sity of Asia’s first republic are being celebrated. While many of the economic, political and social changes shaping today’s Taiwan may have taken place mostly over the last 30 years, they have been accomplished by realizing the ideals of freedom, democracy and prosperity for the people that date back to the very establishment of the ROC a century ago.

Reader feedback and advice regarding this publication is al-ways welcome and appreciated.

Philip YangMinister

Government Information Office

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