Timeline of Taiwan

Chronology

19 events spanning the history of Taiwan. BCE/CE dating.

1. 1517

   Portuguese sailors named Ilha Formosa (beautiful island), later known as Taiwan.

   Portuguese sailors named Ilha Formosa (beautiful island), later known as Taiwan.

2. 1624

   The Dutch colonize the south of Formosa.

   The Dutch colonize the south of Formosa.

3. 1626

   The Spanish colonize northern Taiwan.

   The Spanish colonize northern Taiwan.

4. 1661

   Chinese Ming dynasty occupied Taiwan.

   Chinese Ming dynasty occupied Taiwan.

5. 1683

   The Manchus (Tartars) conquer Taiwan which becomes part of the Chinese empire.

   The Manchus (Tartars) conquer Taiwan which becomes part of the Chinese empire.

6. 1884

   French forces lead by Admiral Coubert invade northern Taiwan.

   French forces lead by Admiral Coubert invade northern Taiwan.

7. 1895

   China cedes Taiwan to Japan.

   China ceded Taiwan to Japan under the Apr 17 Treaty of Shimonoseki. This followed a war over control of the Korean peninsula. Japanese occupation ended in 1945.

8. 1933

   The art treasures of the Forbidden City of China arrived for safe-keeping.

   The art treasures of the Forbidden City of China arrived for safe-keeping.

9. 1939 – 1945

   World War II; China’s Chiang Kai-shek appoints General Chen-Yi to take over Taiwan.

   World War II; Japan surrenders and China’s Chiang Kai-shek appoints General Chen-Yi to take over Taiwan.

10. 1971

    Taiwan is expelled from the United Nations.

    Taiwan is expelled from the United Nations. The seat is given to the People’s Republic of China.