February 2000
The U.S. House of Representatives passes the Taiwan Security Enhancement Act, prompting Chinese protest.
February 2000
The PRC releases its second white paper on Taiwan, outlining conditions for using force known as the "Three If's."
March 2000
DPP candidate Chen Shui-bian is elected president in Taiwan's first change of power between political parties.
March 2000
James Soong founds the People First Party (PFP).
May 2000
Chen Shui-bian states the "Five No's," or "Four No's and One Have Not."
June 2000
Chen calls for "a summit for peace."
June 2000
ROC president Chen flirts with the "1992 consensus."
August 2000
China refines the "One China principle."
October 2000
China releases its second white paper on national defense.
January 2001
The mini-three links between the PRC and Taiwan are officially opened.
April 2001
EP-3 collision sours Sino-U.S. relations.
April 2001
U.S. president George W. Bush approves the largest package of arms sales to Taiwan in nearly a decade.
November 2001
Taiwan lifts a ban on trade and investment with the PRC.
November 2001
The PRC joins the World Trade Organization (WTO). Taiwan enters the day after.
December 2001
DPP overtakes KMT in elections to the fifth Legislative Yuan. Pan-blue coalition forms a slim majority over the pan-green coalition.
July 2002
Taiwan's National Defense Report advocates confidence-building measures across the Strait.
August 2002
President Chen Shui-bian introduces his new "one country on each side" definition of cross-Strait relations.
December 2002
Beijing releases its third white paper on national defense.
January 2003
The first "direct" cross-Strait commercial flight is conducted.
May 2003
Despite the SARS epidemic, the PRC again prevents Taiwan from joining the World Health Organization.
November 2003
Taiwan's Legislative Yuan passes a referendum law, which allows a highly controversial referendum to be placed on the ballot during the March 2004 election.
December 2003
President Bush warns both sides not to change the status quo.
March 2004
President Chen survives an apparent assassination attempt and is narrowly reelected amid controversy. Referendum held on the same day fails to pass.
May 2004
China's new statement on cross-Strait relations lays out two roads for the Taiwan leadership.
May 2004
President Chen delivers his second inaugural address.
October 2004
President Chen delivers his National Day speech.
November 2004
President Chen vows not to develop weapons of mass destruction.
December 2004
Taiwan's opposition alliance retains majority in elections to the sixth Legislative Yuan.
December 2004
China issues the fourth White Paper on National Defense.
January 2005
Jia Qinglin delivers a speech on the 10th anniversary of Jiang's Eight-Point statement.
January-February 2005
First direct cross-Strait chartered flights take place.
February 2005
President Chen and PFP chairman James Soong issue a joint statement on cross-Strait relations, national security, and ethnic harmony.
March 2005
Chinese president Hu Jintao issues a four-point statement on cross-Strait relations.
March 2005
China's National People's Congress adopts the Anti-Secession Law.
April 2005
Taiwan opposition parties visit the mainland and meet with President Hu Jintao.
August 2005
Chen unveils his four-stage theory for the ROC.
August 2005
Chen announces that engagements with China will be based on "one principle, three insistences, and five oppositions."
August 2005
China introduces unilateral measures to reach out to Taiwan farmers and students.
September 2005
Taiwan starts flying commercial jets through mainland airspace.
December, 2005
KMT wins in "Three-in-One" (country magistrates and city mayors, county and city councils, and township chiefs) local elections. Elections considered referendum on Chen Administration.
January, 2006
President Chen's 2006 New Year Message - "Democratic Taiwan: Thriving Onward"
January 15, 2006
The DPP elects former Premier Yu Shyi-kun as its new leader in an attempt to renew support for Chen Shui Bian.
January 17, 2006
Taiwan's Prime Minister Frank Hsieh announces his resignation, paving the way for a Cabinet reshuffle.
January-February, 2006
The third annual cross-strait direct charter flights begin during the Lunar New Year period.
February 27, 2006
Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian announces that the National Unification Council (NUC) will cease to function and National Unification Guidelines (NUG) will cease to apply.
March 1, 2006
MAC releases Position Paper on NUC and GNU
March 14, 2006
The KMT and PFP introduce the "maintenance of cross-strait status quo bill"
March 23, 2006
At a CSIS/Brookings Briefing on Taiwan's role in peace and stability in East Asia, Taipei Mayor and KMT Chairman Ma Ying Jeou reiterates that the KMT will abide by the Five 'No's'
April 16, 2006
Chinese President Hu Jintao meets with former KMT Chairman, Lien Chan in Beijing.
April 20, 2006
Taiwan launches annual Han Kuang military exercises with a computer simulation of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan in 2008.
April 21, 2006
Chen Shui-bian writes an editorial in the Wall Street Journal - "We Believe in Democracy"
April 21, 2006
During Hu Jintao's first formal visit as president, both sides reaffirm their commitment to a peaceful resolution of the dispute in the Taiwan Strait and the Chinese national anthem is mistakenly introduced as the "Anthem of the Republic of China"
May 4-12, 2006
After refusing the U.S.'s offer for refueling stops both to and from Latin America, Chen Shui-bian blames pressure from Beijing for the U.S. decisions.
May 10, 2006
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick addresses concerns over relations with Taiwan and China in a hearing before the Committee on International Relations.
May 12, 2006
In a speech at the European Day Celebration of the European Chamber of Commerce Taipei, President Chen Shui-bian characterizes 'totalitarian China' and 'democratic Taiwan' as 'two sovereign nations'
May 18, 2006
Taiwan issues its first National Security Strategy Report.
May 25, 2006
Taiwan's Cabinet approves revisions to arms procurement bill.
June 14, 2006
China and Taiwan agree to expand cross-Strait flights during holiday periods.
June 27, 2006
Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian survives opposition-led campaign to remove him from office.
June 30, 2006
The U.S House of Representatives votes to end a ban on high-level U.S. government contacts with Taiwan.
July 20, 2006
Taipei flies cargo directly to China for the first time since 1949.
August 7, 2006
Taiwan severs diplomatic ties with Chad after the African country switches diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China.
August 15, 2006
High-level Japanese official visits Taiwan to meet with Chen.
August 27, 2006
Taiwan creates counterpart to mainland's China Tourism Association.
September 7, 2006
Mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office official forced to cancel Taipei visit.
September 28, 2006
Speaking at DPP anniversary, Chen reaffirms his commitment to constitutional reform and have Taiwan join the UN.
October 13, 2006
President Chen Shui-bian survives second recall vote.
November 2, 2006
Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian endorses the idea of a "Second Republic" constitution in an interview with the Financial Times.
November 16, 2006
China confirms arrest of two Taiwanese businessmen who have reportedly been spying on the mainland.
November 24, 2006
President Chen Shui-bian survives a third recall motion.
December 9, 2006
Mayoral and municipal elections are held. KMT wins Taipei but DPP scores a narrow victory in Kaohsiung.
December 29, 2006
China releases 2006 Defense White Paper.
January 1, 2007
Chen Shui-bian uses his new year's address to reiterate his position on Taiwan sovereignty and identity.
January 8-12, 2007
Chen Shui-bian visits Nicaragua and makes stopovers in San Francisco and Los Angeles.
January 11, 2007
China successfully tests an anti-satellite missile.
January 17, 2007
China-Taiwan trade and investment ties increase.
January 22, 2007
New indigenously produced PRC fighters deployed.
February 2, 2007
Taipei to drop 'China' from the names of state-run companies.
February 13, 2007
KMT Chairman Ma Ying-jeou resigns after being indicted on charges of corruption.
March 2, 2007
The U.S. Department of Defense announces new arms sale package to Taiwan.
March 4, 2007
Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian proposes "four imperatives and one non-issue."
March 4, 2007
China accelerates its military spending.
March 6, 2007
Taiwan tests missiles that can hit China, report claims.
April 13, 2007
Taiwan applies to join the WHO under the name "Taiwan."
April 17-22, 2007
Taiwan conducts its annual Han Kuang computerized military exercise.
April 24, 2007
KMT Honorary Chairman attends conference in China.
April 25, 2007
Taiwan resumes formal diplomatic relations with St. Lucia after a break of ten years.
April 26, 2007
China announces its Olympic torch relay plan. The designed route passing through Taiwan was rejected.
May 3, 2007
Former KMT chairman Ma Ying-jeou is nominated as his party's presidential candidate.
May 6, 2007
Hsieh Chang-ting wins the DPP party primary.
May 15, 2007
WHO assembly rejects proposal on Taiwan membership.
June 7, 2007
Former Taiwan President Lee Tenghui visits the Yasukuni Shrine.
June 7, 2007
Costa Rica breaks diplomatic ties with ROC.
June 11, 2007
China and Taiwan expand cross-Strait flights for the Dragon Boat Festival.
June 15, 2007
Taiwan Legislature approves parts of U.S. arms deal after six-year delay.
June 24, 2007
KMT 17th National Congress passes a bill on the "Taiwan-centered" revision of its Party Charter.
July 24, 2007
UN rejects Taiwan's bid for membership under the name "Taiwan."
July 21-30, 2007
Frank Hsieh visits the United States.
July 30, 2007
U.S. House of Representatives votes to allow visits by top-level ROC officials
July 31, 2007
Chen and Huang send protest notes to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
August 21, 2007
Chen transits Alaska to Central America
August 30, 2007
Democratic Progressive Party 'normal nation' resolution completed
September 03, 2007
Ma unveils policies for defense overhaul
September 11, 2007
DAS Christensen calls Taiwan refer-
endum plan "ill-conceived."
Sep. 12, 2007
Pentagon could make $2.2 billion arms sales to Taiwan
Oct. 10, 2007
President Chen Shui-bian's 2007 National Day Address
Oct. 10, 2007
Taiwan demonstrates military prowess at National Day parade
Oct. 15, 2007
Hu Jintao appeals for "peace agreement" with Taiwan
November 9, 2007
The Pentagon announces sales of weapons upgrades to Taiwan worth nearly $1 billion
November 29, 2007
China cites U.S. arms sales to Taiwan as a reason for its refusal to allow the USS Kitty Hawk to make a port call in Hong Kong
January 12, 2008
The KMT sweeps legislative elections
January 14, 2008
Malawi announces severing of diplomatic relations with Taiwan
February 2, 2008
President Chen visits disputed island, angering other claimants
March 22, 2008
Ma wins presidential election; UN referendums fail.
April 12, 2008
Hu Jintao and Taiwan Vice President-elect meet at Boao Forum
April 15, 2008
Taiwan commits to allowing free exchange of the Chinese yuan in Taiwan
April 17, 2008
Taiwan president applies to WHO under the name "Taiwan"
May 1, 2008
Scandal erupts over Taiwan's efforts to win diplomatic recognition from Papua New Guinea
© Center for Strategic and International Studies, 2007