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Local administration

1. The special municipalities, counties and cities of the ROC
• Overview
• Data about the ROC cities and counties
• Restructuring of special municipalities, counties and cities
• Further administrative subdivisions at all levels
2. The provincial level of the ROC
• Taiwan Province
• Fujian Province (ROC)
• A remark about Chekiang (Zhejiang) province
3. Special municipalities in the ROC
• Taipei City
• Kaohsiung City
• New Taipei City
• Taoyuan City
• Taichung City
• Tainan City
4. Counties in the ROC

Hsinchu County Miaoli County Changhua County Nantou County Yunlin County Chiayi County Pingtung County

Yilan County Hualien County Taitung County Penghu County [offshore] Kinmen County (Fujian Province) [offshore] Lienchiang County (Fujian Province) [offshore]

5. County-level cities in the ROC
• Keelung City
• Hsinchu City
• Chiayi City
6. Abolished local governments
• Taichung County (now part of Taichung City)
• Tainan County (now part of Tainan City)
• Kaohsiung County (now part of Kaohsiung City)
• Rearranged constituencies for the Legislative Yuan
• Remarks about former Taipei County and Taoyuan County
• Remarks about Hsinchu and Chiayi

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◆ The special municipalities, counties and cities of the ROC

• Overview
• Data about the ROC cities and counties
• Restructuring of special municipalities, counties and cities
• Further administrative subdivisions at all levels

++++++++++   TOP   HOME    [next chapter]   ++++++++++

Below the central level, the ROC today comprises two provinces: Taiwan 台灣 and Fujian 福建. Local administration consists of 22 county-level units—6 special municipalities, 3 cities (which are sometimes also called "provincial municipalities"), and 13 counties; 20 of them in Taiwan Province, 2 in Fujian Province. While all six special municipalities of the ROC are geographically on the territory of Taiwan proper, they are not under the jurisdiction of Taiwan Province but under the direct administration of the central government. Please note that Kinmen County and Lienchiang County (Matsu) under Fujian Province are the only administrative areas which have been continuously under ROC control since 1912, the cities and counties of Taiwan Province were added to the ROC after the end of WWII.

This page shows local government leaders from 1989 on (except Taiwan province, Fujian province, Taipei city, and Kaohsiung city—data going back to 1945) because only after martial law was lifted in the ROC in July 1987 elections could be regarded as truly free and democratic. In addition to the respective city mayors and county magistrates the administrative division of each special municipality, county and provincial municipality is listed as well. The three-digit number added behind an administrative subdivision is its postal code. Details about boroughs, villages and neighbourhoods are omitted here since they are far too numerous (nationwide elections for borough wardens and village chiefs as in 2014 and 2018 filled 7,851 positions) and not significant enough to be listed individually in this website.

An alphabetical index on this page lists all cities, districts, rural townships and urban townships of the ROC (click here).

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Overview

• 6 ROC special municipalities
• 11 counties under Taiwan province (including 1 offshore county)
• 3 county-level cities under Taiwan province
• 2 counties under Fujian province (both offshore counties)
• + + + Unofficial divisions: seven regions, four zones + + +
• + + + Additional remarks + + +

A helpful visual tool for a better understanding of the ROC's administrative subdivisions can be found here.

6 ROC special municipalities

Taipei City (Taibei shi 台北市)
New Taipei City (Xinbei shi 新北市)
Taoyuan City (Taoyuan shi 桃園市)
Taichung City (Taizhong shi 台中市)
Tainan City (Tainan shi 台南市)
Kaohsiung City (Gaoxiong shi 高雄市)

11 counties (Taiwan province)

Hsinchu County (Xinzhu xian 新竹縣)
Miaoli County (Miaoli xian 苗栗縣)
Changhua County (Zhanghua xian 彰化縣)
Nantou County (Nantou xian 南投縣)
Yunlin County (Yunlin xian 雲林縣)
Chiayi County (Jiayi xian 嘉義縣)
Pingtung County (Pingdong xian 屏東縣)
Yilan County (Yilan xian 宜蘭縣)
Hualien County (Hualian xian 花蓮縣)
Taitung County (Taidong xian 台東縣)
Penghu County (Penghu xian 澎湖縣)—offshore

3 county-level cities (Taiwan province)

Keelung City (Jilong shi 基隆市)
Hsinchu City (Xinzhu shi 新竹市)
Chiayi City (Jiayi shi 嘉義市)

2 counties (Fujian province)—offshore

Kinmen County (Jinmen xian 金門縣)
Lienchiang County (Lianjiang xian 連江縣)—i. e. the administrative name for the offshore islands of Matsu (Mazu 馬祖)

TOP   HOME    [Introduction]

+ + + Unofficial divisions: seven regions, four zones + + +

While the administrative subdivisions of cities and counties as shown above are widely used in Taiwan’s media to identify locations in news coverage, other classifications do exist. A distinction that is quite common in this context is the one between Taiwan proper (Taiwan bendao 台灣本島) and Taiwan’s outlying islands or offshore islands (Taiwan lidao 台灣離島 or waidao 外島). Furthermore, some local TV channels combine cities and counties for their weather forecasts, often showing seven regions as listed below.

1. Greater Taipei (beibeiji 北北基): Taipei, New Taipei City, Keelung;
2. Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Miaoli (taozhumiao 桃竹苗): Taoyuan, Hsinchu City, Hsinchu County, Miaoli;
3. Greater Taichung (zhongzhangtou 中彰投): Taichung, Changhua, Nantou;
4. Greater Tainan (yunjia’nan 雲嘉南): Yunlin, Chiayi City, Chiayi County, Tainan;
5. Kaoping (gaoping 高屏): Kaohsiung and Pingtung;
6. East Coast (yihuadong 宜花東): Yilan, Hualien, Taitung;
7. Outlying Islands (pengjinma 澎金馬): Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu/Lienchiang County.

Please note that the column on the far right shows the region’s population density in persons per square kilometer.

Another subdivision is applied during the Wanan air defense exercise (wan’an yanxi 萬安演習) which is held annually nationwide in four zones (diqu 地區).

• Northern Taiwan (beibu diqu 北部地區)—Taipei, New Taipei City, Keelung, Taoyuan, Hsinchu county and city, and Yilan County
• Central Taiwan (zhongbu diqu 中部地區)—Taichung, Chiayi county and city, and Miaoli, Changhua, Nantou and Yunlin counties
• Southern Taiwan (nanbu diqu 南部地區)—Tainan, Kaohsiung and Pingtung County
• Eastern Taiwan and outlying areas (dongbu diqu ji wailidao 東部地區及外離島)—Hualien, Taitung; Penghu, Kinmen and Lienchiang counties

+ + + Additional remarks + + +

Provinces now in name only
Following the completion of the streamlining process of the provincial governments of Taiwan and Fujian under the ROC between 1998 and 2018, those provinces today only exist as categories but no longer have working agencies. The two provincial governments were merged into the Kinmen-Matsu Joint Services Center under the Executive Yuan at the end of December 2018.

Local level ballots
The dates of elections for mayors (shizhang 市長) of special municipalities, for city mayors (shizhang 市長) and county magistrates (xianzhang 縣長) can be found under the page "Democratic elections" of this website. In August 2009, the terms of mayors and county magistrates (sometimes also called "county commissioner" in English) in the ROC to be elected on Dec. 5, 2009, were extended by a year to five years. Accordingly, the Dec. 5 elections did not include Taipei County, Kaohsiung County, Taichung County, Taichung City, Tainan City and Tainan County as they were either directly upgraded to the status of a special municipality or integrated into a special municipality on Dec. 25, 2010. They held their elections simultaneously with heads of the two existing special municipalities—Taipei City and Kaohsiung City—on Nov. 27, 2010.

Protected areas
The data about each city and county also include references about protected zones on their respective administrative areas like the ROC's 9 national parks (guojia gongyuan 國家公園), 1 national nature park (guojia ziran gongyuan 國家自然公園), 22 nature reserves (ziran baohuqu 自然保留區), 20 wildlife refuges (yesheng dongwu baohuqu 野生動物保護區), 37 major wildlife habitats (yesheng dongwu zhongyao qixi huanjing 野生動物重要棲息環境), 6 forest reserves (ziran baohuqu 自然保護區), and 12 coastal protection areas (yanhai baohuqu 沿海保護區).

Lack of certain data
Please note that for some names the information available (official English spelling of the name, birth year, and / or political affiliation) was incomplete. In each case the chief researcher wrote to the respective city / county government (Keelung City, Taichung City, Taoyuan County, Yunlin County, Hualien County, Taitung County, Penghu County) but either received no response at all, or the agency was unable or unwilling to provide the requested information.

TOP   HOME    [Introduction]

Data about the ROC cities and counties

• Demographic development since 2010
• Area of ROC cities and counties (end of 2022)
• Geographic coordinates of the ROC's cities and counties

Source for the data in the following two tables is the Department of Household Registration Affairs 戶政司, MOI. For general ROC population statistics click here.

The column far right in the first table shows the respective population gains and losses between 2010 and 2022 as well as their percentage (2010 = 100 percent).

Demographic development since 2010

Area of ROC cities and counties (end of 2022)

Geographic coordinates of the ROC's cities and counties

Please note that of the above listed special municipalities, cities and counties in the ROC, only Taipei City, Chiayi City and Nantou County are landlocked without their own direct access to the sea. The Port of Taipei (Taibei gang 台北港) is actually located in Bali District, New Taipei City.

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Restructuring of special municipalities, counties and cities

• Emerging special municipalities
• Comparative charts of county-level administrative units in Taiwan Province

Emerging special municipalities

Taipei City was upgraded to special municipality on July 1, 1967, making it the first special municipality on the island. Kaohsiung City was declared a special municipality on July 1, 1979.

On June 29, 2009, the ROC government approved changes in the division of administrative districts, resulting in the upgrading and/or merger of several cities, counties and special municipalities in Taiwan proper. The following changes were implemented on Dec. 25, 2010:

• Inclusion of Kaohsiung County into Kaohsiung Special Municipality, nicknamed "Greater Kaohsiung" (da Gaoxiong 大高雄)
• Upgrading of Taipei County to a new special municipality, New Taipei City
• Merger of Taichung City and Taichung County to form a new special municipality: Taichung Special Municipality, nicknamed "Greater Taichung" (da Taizhong 大台中)
• Merger of Tainan City and Tainan County to form a new special municipality: Tainan Special Municipality, nicknamed "Greater Tainan" (da Tainan 大台南)

On Jan. 1, 2011 Taoyuan County was declared a "quasi-special municipality" by the ROC government after having reached a population of 2 million in June 2010. On Nov. 23, 2012 the ROC Ministry of Interior approved Taoyuan County's application for administrative upgrade to special municipality, a decision confirmed by the Executive Yuan on Jan. 3, 2013. The status upgrade took effect on Dec. 25, 2014.

An important legal foundation for the upgrade to special municipality and for mergers of cities and counties is the Local Government Act (difang zhidufa 地方制度法), first announced on Jan. 25, 1999 and last amended on June 22, 2016. According to Article 4, a region with a population of 1.25 million and above that has "special needs for political, economic, cultural, and metropolitan developments" can be reconstituted as a special municipality.

Comparative charts of county-level administrative units in Taiwan Province

The following charts are about Taiwan Province only because the administrative status of the two counties in the ROC's Fujian Province—Kinmen County and Lienchiang County (Matsu)—has remained unchanged since 1950.

Note: Penghu County is the only county in Taiwan Province not located on Taiwan proper but offshore.

Please note that a short description of the administrative subdivision's development in Taiwan Province since WWII with maps can be found under the toolbar menu "Maps", Taiwan Province after WWII.

TOP   HOME    [Introduction]

Further administrative subdivisions at all levels

• Hierarchy of administrative subdivions at lower levels
• Three kinds of cities
• Alphabetical index

A list presenting the ROC local administrative structure, including subdivisions below the county level, is shown below and contains the following eleven relevant terms for local administrative units:

• Borough (li 里)
• City (shi 市)
• County (xian 縣)
• County-administered city (xianxiashi 縣轄市)
• District (qu 區)
• Neighbourhood (lin 鄰)
• Province (sheng 省)
• Provincial municipality (shengxiashi 省轄市)
• Special municipality (zhixiashi 直轄市)
• Town (zhen 鎮), aka "urban township"
• Township (xiang 鄉), aka "rural township"
• Village (cun 村)

Three more official terms for administrative units are worth mentioning:

• Aboriginal District (shandi yuanzhumin qu 山地原住民區): status = District
• Aboriginal Township (shandi yuanzhumin xiang 山地原住民鄉): status = Township, i. e. rural township
• "Quasi-special municipality" (zhun zhixiashi 準直轄市)

Hierarchy of administrative subdivions at lower levels

6 special municipalities ▶ District ▶ Borough ▶ Neighbourhood

2 provinces—
 —3 cities ("provincial municipality") ▶ District ▶ Borough ▶ Neighbourhood
 —13 counties—
   —City ▶ Borough ▶ Neighbourhood
   —Town ("urban township") ▶ Borough ▶ Neighbourhood
   —Township ("rural township") ▶ Village ▶ Neighbourhood

Note: On their English-language versions, official websites of local governments—county level or lower—use the term "Township" for both rural townships (xiang 鄉) and urban townships/towns (zhen 鎮) which makes it impossible to determine whether the Township in question is actually a rural township or an urban township. For this reason, following paragraphs on this page which are introducing counties have an "⒭" added for rural townships and an "⒰" for urban townships. The number of administrative divisions in the ROC's special municipalities, counties and cities is as follows:

① = districts; ② = cities, ③ = urban townships, ④ = rural townships

Three kinds of cities

The common usage of the term "city" (shi 市) can sometimes be confusing as it may refer to three different kinds of administrative units:
◉ special municipalities (zhixiashi 直轄市),
◉ county-level cities aka "provincial municipalities" (shengxiashi 省轄市), and
◉ local-level cities aka "county-administered cities" (xianxiashi 縣轄市).
In the ROC, there are six special municipalities, three county-level cities and fourteen local-level cities under counties which are listed directly below in alphabetical order.

The legal status of administrative entities is based on regulations in the Local Government Act (difang zhidufa 地方制度法). In general, a county or city with population over two million may qualify for special municipality status; county-level cities are supposed to have a population between 500,000 and 1,250,000; and local-level cities need to have a population between 100,000 and 500,000. However, upgrades may be granted even for entities below the minimum population requirement (as in the case of Tainan City).

Of all the counties in the ROC, Changhua County, Chiayi County, and Miaoli County each have two local-level cities under their jurisdiction; Hsinchu County, Hualien County, Nantou County, Penghu County, Pingtung County, Taitung County, Yilan County, and Yunlin County each have one; and the only two counties in the ROC without local-level cities are Kinmen County and Lienchiang County.

Please note that before December 2010 there were 21 additional county-administered cities in Taiwan which have since been renamed "districts" (qu 區) because the counties where they were located became special municipalities.

• Kaohsiung County—1 city: Fengshan 鳳山市 830
• Taichung County—3 cities: Dali 大里市 412, Fengyuan 豐原市 420, Taiping 太平市 411
• Tainan County—2 cities: Xinying 新營市 730, Yongkang 永康市 710
• Taipei County—10 cities: Banqiao 板橋市 220, Luzhou 蘆洲市 247, Sanchong 三重市 241, Shulin 樹林市 238, Tucheng 土城市 236, Xizhi 汐止市 221, Xindian 新店市 231, Xinzhuang 新莊市 242, Yonghe 永和市 234, Zhonghe 中和市 235
• Taoyuan County—5 cities: Bade 八德市 334, Pingzhen 平鎮市 324, Taoyuan 桃園市 330, Yangmei 楊梅市 326, Zhongli 中壢市 320

Alphabetical index

A list of all cities, counties, districts, rural townships and urban townships of the ROC in alphabetical order including the respective 3-digit ROC postal code is shown directly below.
"⒭" = rural townships; "⒰" = urban townships.

Alian District 阿蓮區 822———Kaohsiung City
Alishan Township 阿里山鄉 605 ⒭———Chiayi County
Anding District 安定區 745———Tainan City
Anle District 安樂區 204———Keelung City
Annan District 安南區 709———Tainan City
Anping District 安平區 708———Tainan City
Bade District 八德區 334———Taoyuan City
Baihe District 白河區 732———Tainan City
Baisha Township 白沙鄉 884 ⒭———Penghu County
Bali District 八里區 249———New Taipei City
Banqiao District 板橋區 220———New Taipei City
Baoshan Township 寶山鄉 308 ⒭———Hsinchu County
Baozhong Township 褒忠鄉 634 ⒭———Yunlin County
Beidou Township 北斗鎮 521 ⒰———Changhua County
Beigan Township 北竿鄉 210 ⒭———Lienchiang County
Beigang Township 北港鎮 651 ⒰———Yunlin County
Beimen District 北門區 727———Tainan City
Beinan Township 卑南鄉 954 ⒭———Taitung County
Beipu Township 北埔鄉 314 ⒭———Hsinchu County
Beitou District 北投區 112———Taipei City
Beitun District 北屯區 406———Taichung City
Budai Township 布袋鎮 625 ⒰———Chiayi County
Caotun Township 草屯鎮 542 ⒰———Nantou County
Central District 中區 400———Taichung City
Changbin Township 長濱鄉 962 ⒭———Taitung County
Changhua City 彰化市 500———Changhua County
Changhua County 彰化縣 [500–530]
Changzhi Township 長治鄉 908 ⒭———Pingtung County
Chaozhou Township 潮州鎮 920 ⒰———Pingtung County
Checheng Township 車城鄉 944 ⒭———Pingtung County
Chenggong Township 成功鎮 961 ⒰———Taitung County
Chiayi City 嘉義市 [600]
Chiayi County 嘉義縣 [602–625]
Chishang Township 池上鄉 958 ⒭———Taitung County
Chunri Township 春日鄉 942 ⒭———Pingtung County
Citong Township 莿桐鄉 647 ⒭———Yunlin County
Da’an District 大安區 106———Taipei City
Da’an District 大安區 439———Taichung City
Dacheng Township 大城鄉 527 ⒭———Changhua County
Dacun Township 大村鄉 515 ⒭———Changhua County
Dadu District 大肚區 432———Taichung City
Dahu Township 大湖鄉 364 ⒭———Miaoli County
Dajia District 大甲區 437———Taichung City
Dali District 大里區 412———Taichung City
Daliao District 大寮區 831———Kaohsiung City
Dalin Township 大林鎮 622 ⒰———Chiayi County
Danei District 大內區 742———Tainan City
Daren Township 達仁鄉 966 ⒭———Taitung County
Danshui District 淡水區 251———New Taipei City
Dapi Township 大埤鄉 631 ⒭———Yunlin County
Dapu Township 大埔鄉 607 ⒭———Chiayi County
Dashe District 大社區 815———Kaohsiung City
Dashu District 大樹區 840———Kaohsiung City
Datong District 大同區 103———Taipei City
Datong Township 大同鄉 267 ⒭———Yilan County
Dawu Township 大武鄉 965 ⒭———Taitung County
Daxi District 大溪區 335———Taoyuan City
Daya District 大雅區 428———Taichung City
Dayuan District 大園區 337———Taoyuan City
Diaoyutai Islands 釣魚台 290———Yilan County  (claimed by the ROC but controlled by Japan) ⚔
Donggang Township 東港鎮 928 ⒰———Pingtung County
Donghe Township 東河鄉 959 ⒭———Taitung County
Dongsha Islands 東沙群島 817 aka Pratas Islands———Kaohsiung City
Dongshan District 東山區 733———Tainan City
Dongshan Township 冬山鄉 269 ⒭———Yilan County
Dongshi District 東勢區 423———Taichung City
Dongshi Township 東石鄉 614 ⒭———Chiayi County
Dongshi Township 東勢鄉 635 ⒭———Yunlin County
Dongyin Township 東引鄉 212 ⒭———Lienchiang County
Douliu City 斗六市 640———Yunlin County
Dounan Township 斗南鎮 630 ⒰———Yunlin County
East District 東區 300———Hsinchu City
East District 東區 401———Taichung City
East District 東區 600———Chiayi City
East District 東區 701———Tainan City
Emei Township 峨眉鄉 315 ⒭———Hsinchu County
Erlin Township 二林鎮 526 ⒰———Changhua County
Erlun Township 二崙鄉 649 ⒭———Yunlin County
Ershui Township 二水鄉 530 ⒭———Changhua County
Fangliao Township 枋寮鄉 940 ⒭———Pingtung County
Fangshan Township 枋山鄉 941 ⒭———Pingtung County
Fangyuan Township 芳苑鄉 528 ⒭———Changhua County
Fanlu Township 番路鄉 602 ⒭———Chiayi County
Fengbin Township 豐濱鄉 977 ⒭———Hualien County
Fenglin Township 鳳林鎮 975 ⒰———Hualien County
Fengshan District 鳳山區 830———Kaohsiung City
Fengyuan District 豐原區 420———Taichung City
Fenyuan Township 芬園鄉 502 ⒭———Changhua County
Fuli Township 富里鄉 983 ⒭———Hualien County
Fuxing District 復興區 336———Taoyuan City
Fuxing Township 福興鄉 506 ⒭———Changhua County
Gangshan District 岡山區 820———Kaohsiung City
Gaoshu Township 高樹鄉 906 ⒭———Pingtung County
Gongguan Township 公館鄉 363 ⒭———Miaoli County
Gongliao District 貢寮區 228———New Taipei City
Guangfu Township 光復鄉 976 ⒭———Hualien County
Guanmiao District 關廟區 718———Tainan City
Guanshan Township 關山鎮 956 ⒰———Taitung County
Guantian District 官田區 720———Tainan City
Guanxi Township 關西鎮 306 ⒰———Hsinchu County
Guanyin District 觀音區 328———Taoyuan City
Guiren District 歸仁區 711———Tainan City
Guishan District 龜山區 333———Taoyuan City
Gukeng Township 古坑鄉 646 ⒭———Yunlin County
Guoxing Township 國姓鄉 544 ⒭———Nantou County
Gushan District 鼓山區 804———Kaohsiung City
Haiduan Township 海端鄉 957 ⒭———Taitung County
Hemei Township 和美鎮 508 ⒰———Changhua County
Hengchun Township 恆春鎮 946 ⒰———Pingtung County
Hengshan Township 橫山鄉 312 ⒭———Hsinchu County
Heping District 和平區 424———Taichung City
Houbi District 後壁區 731———Tainan City
Houli District 后里區 421———Taichung City
Houlong Township 後龍鎮 356 ⒰———Miaoli County
Hsinchu City 新竹市 [300]
Hsinchu County 新竹縣 [302–315]
Hualien City 花蓮市 970———Hualien County
Hualien County 花蓮縣 [970–983]
Huatan Township 花壇鄉 503 ⒭———Changhua County
Hukou Township 湖口鄉 303 ⒭———Hsinchu County
Hunei District 湖內區 829———Kaohsiung City
Huwei Township 虎尾鎮 632 ⒰———Yunlin County
Huxi Township 湖西鄉 885 ⒭———Penghu County
Jiadong Township 佳冬鄉 931 ⒭———Pingtung County
Jiali District 佳里區 722———Tainan City
Ji’an Township 吉安鄉 973 ⒭———Hualien County
Jiangjun District 將軍區 725———Tainan City
Jianshi Township 尖石鄉 313 ⒭———Hsinchu County
Jiaoxi Township 礁溪鄉 262 ⒭———Yilan County
Jiaxian District 甲仙區 847———Kaohsiung City
Jiji Township 集集鎮 552 ⒰———Nantou County
Jincheng Township 金城鎮 893 ⒰———Kinmen County
Jinfeng Township 金峰鄉 964 ⒭———Taitung County
Jinhu Township 金湖鎮 891 ⒰———Kinmen County
Jinning Township 金寧鄉 892 ⒭———Kinmen County
Jinsha Township 金沙鎮 890 ⒰———Kinmen County
Jinshan District 金山區 208———New Taipei City
Jiuru Township 九如鄉 904 ⒭———Pingtung County
Juguang Township 莒光鄉 211 ⒭———Lienchiang County
Kanding Township 崁頂鄉 924 ⒭———Pingtung County
Kaohsiung City 高雄市 [800–852]
Keelung City 基隆市 [200–206]
Kinmen County 金門縣 (Fujian Province) [890–896]
Kouhu Township 口湖鄉 653 ⒭———Yunlin County
Laiyi Township 來義鄉 922 ⒭———Pingtung County
Lanyu Township 蘭嶼鄉 952 ⒭———Taitung County
Lienchiang County 連江縣 (Fujian Province) [209–212]
Lieyu Township 烈嶼鄉 894 ⒭———Kinmen County
Ligang Township 里港鄉 905 ⒭———Pingtung County
Linbian Township 林邊鄉 927 ⒭———Pingtung County
Lingya District 苓雅區 802———Kaohsiung City
Linkou District 林口區 244———New Taipei City
Linluo Township 麟洛鄉 909 ⒭———Pingtung County
Linnei Township 林內鄉 643 ⒭———Yunlin County
Linyuan District 林園區 832———Kaohsiung City
Liugui District 六龜區 844———Kaohsiung City
Liujia District 六甲區 734———Tainan City
Liujiao Township 六腳鄉 615 ⒭———Chiayi County
Liuqiu Township 琉球鄉 929 ⒭———Pingtung County
Liuying District 柳營區 736———Tainan City
Longjing District 龍井區 434———Taichung City
Longqi District 龍崎區 719———Tainan City
Longtan District 龍潭區 325———Taoyuan City
Lucao Township 鹿草鄉 611 ⒭———Chiayi County
Ludao Township 綠島鄉 951 ⒭———Taitung County
Lugang Township 鹿港鎮 505 ⒰———Changhua County
Lugu Township 鹿谷鄉 558 ⒭———Nantou County
Lunbei Township 崙背鄉 637 ⒭———Yunlin County
Luodong Township 羅東鎮 265 ⒰———Yilan County
Luye Township 鹿野鄉 955 ⒭———Taitung County
Luzhou District 蘆洲區 247———New Taipei City
Luzhu District 蘆竹區 338———Taoyuan City
Luzhu District 路竹區 821———Kaohsiung City
Madou District 麻豆區 721———Tainan City
Magong City 馬公市 880———Penghu County
Mailiao Township 麥寮鄉 638 ⒭———Yunlin County
Majia Township 瑪家鄉 903 ⒭———Pingtung County
Manzhou Township 滿州鄉 947 ⒭———Pingtung County
Maolin District 茂林區 851———Kaohsiung City
Meinong District 美濃區 843———Kaohsiung City
Meishan Township 梅山鄉 603 ⒭———Chiayi County
Miaoli City 苗栗市 360———Miaoli County
Miaoli County 苗栗縣 [350–369]
Mingjian Township 名間鄉 551 ⒭———Nantou County
Minxiong Township 民雄鄉 621 ⒭———Chiayi County
Mituo District 彌陀區 827———Kaohsiung City
Mudan Township 牡丹鄉 945 ⒭———Pingtung County
Namaxia District 那瑪夏區 849———Kaohsiung City
Nan’ao Township 南澳鄉 272 ⒭———Yilan County
Nan’gan Township 南竿鄉 209 ⒭———Lienchiang County
Nangang District 南港區 115———Taipei City
Nanhua District 南化區 716———Tainan City
Nansha Islands 南沙群島 819 aka Spratly Islands———Kaohsiung City
Nantou City 南投市 540———Nantou County
Nantou County 南投縣 [540–558]
Nantun District 南屯區 408———Taichung City
Nanxi District 楠西區 715———Tainan City
Nanzhou Township 南州鄉 926 ⒭———Pingtung County
Nanzhuang Township 南庄鄉 353 ⒭———Miaoli County
Nanzi District 楠梓區 811———Kaohsiung City
Neimen District 內門區 845———Kaohsiung City
Neihu District 內湖區 114———Taipei City
Neipu Township 內埔鄉 912 ⒭———Pingtung County
New Taipei City 新北市 [207–208, 235–253]
Niaosong District 鳥松區 833———Kaohsiung City
North District 北區 300———Hsinchu City
North District 北區 404———Taichung City
North District 北區 704———Tainan City
Nuannuan District 暖暖區 205———Keelung City
Penghu County 澎湖縣 [880–885]
Pinglin District 坪林區 232———New Taipei City
Pingtung City 屏東市 900———Pingtung County
Pingtung County 屏東縣 [900–947]
Pingxi District 平溪區 226———New Taipei City
Pingzhen District 平鎮 區 324———Taoyuan City
Pitou Township 埤頭鄉 523 ⒭———Changhua County
Pratas Island 東沙島 817———Kaohsiung City ⚔
Puli Township 埔里鎮 545 ⒰———Nantou County
Puxin Township 埔心鄉 513 ⒭———Changhua County
Puyan Township 埔鹽鄉 516 ⒭———Changhua County
Puzi City 朴子市 613———Chiayi County
Qianjin District 前金區 801———Kaohsiung City
Qianzhen District 前鎮 區 806———Kaohsiung City
Qiaotou District 橋頭區 825———Kaohsiung City
Qidu District 七堵區 206———Keelung City
Qieding District 茄萣區 852———Kaohsiung City
Qigu District 七股區 724———Tainan City
Qijin District 旗津區 805———Kaohsiung City
Qimei Township 七美鄉 883 ⒭———Penghu County
Qingshui District 清水區 436———Taichung City
Qionglin Township 芎林鄉 307 ⒭———Hsinchu County
Qishan District 旗山區 842———Kaohsiung City
Ren’ai District 仁愛區 200———Keelung City
Ren’ai Township 仁愛鄉 546 ⒭———Nantou County
Rende District 仁德區 717———Tainan City
Renwu District 仁武區 814———Kaohsiung City
Ruifang District 瑞芳區 224———New Taipei City
Ruisui Township 瑞穗鄉 978 ⒭———Hualien County
Sanchong District 三重區 241———New Taipei City
Sandimen Township 三地門鄉 901 ⒭———Pingtung County
Sanmin District 三民區 807———Kaohsiung City
Sanwan Township 三灣鄉 352 ⒭———Miaoli County
Sanxia District 三峽區 237———New Taipei City
Sanxing Township 三星鄉 266 ⒭———Yilan County
Sanyi Township 三義鄉 367 ⒭———Miaoli County
Sanzhi District 三芝區 252———New Taipei City
Shalu District 沙鹿區 433———Taichung City
Shanhua District 善化區 741———Tainan City
Shanlin District 杉林區 846———Kaohsiung City
Shanshang District 山上區 743———Tainan City
Shengang District 神岡區 429———Taichung City
Shengang Township 伸港鄉 509 ⒭———Changhua County
Shenkeng District 深坑區 222———New Taipei City
Shetou Township 社頭鄉 511 ⒭———Changhua County
Shiding District 石碇區 223———New Taipei City
Shigang District 石岡區 422———Taichung City
Shilin District 士林區 111———Taipei City
Shimen District 石門區 253———New Taipei City
Shitan Township 獅潭鄉 354 ⒭———Miaoli County
Shizi Township 獅子鄉 943 ⒭———Pingtung County
Shoufeng Township 壽豐鄉 974 ⒭———Hualien County
Shuangxi District 雙溪區 227———New Taipei City
Shuili Township 水里鄉 553 ⒭———Nantou County
Shuilin Township 水林鄉 652 ⒭———Yunlin County
Shuishang Township 水上鄉 608 ⒭———Chiayi County
Shulin District 樹林區 238———New Taipei City
Sihu Township 四湖鄉 654 ⒭———Yunlin County
Songshan District 松山區 105———Taipei City
South District 南區 402———Taichung City
South District 南區 702———Tainan City
Su’ao Township 蘇澳鎮 270 ⒰———Yilan County
Tai’an Township 泰安鄉 365 ⒭———Miaoli County
Taibao City 太保市 612———Chiayi County
Taichung City 台中市 [400–439]
Taimali Township 太麻里鄉 963 ⒭———Taitung County
Tainan City 台南市 [700–745]
Taipei City 台北市 [100–116]
Taiping District 太平區 411———Taichung City
Taiping Island 太平島 819———Kaohsiung City ⚔
Taishan District 泰山區 243———New Taipei City
Taitung City 台東市 950———Taitung County
Taitung County 台東縣 [950–966]
Taiwu Township 泰武鄉 921 ⒭———Pingtung County
Taixi Township 台西鄉 636 ⒭———Yunlin County
Tanzi District 潭子區 427———Taichung City
Taoyuan City 桃園市 [320–338]
Taoyuan District 桃園區 330———Taoyuan City
Taoyuan District 桃源區 848———Kaohsiung City
Tianliao District 田寮區 823———Kaohsiung City
Tianwei Township 田尾鄉 522 ⒭———Changhua County
Tianzhong Township 田中鎮 520 ⒰———Changhua County
Tongluo Township 銅鑼鄉 366 ⒭———Miaoli County
Tongxiao Township 通霄鎮 357 ⒰———Miaoli County
Toucheng Township 頭城鎮 261 ⒰———Yilan County
Toufen City 頭份市 351———Miaoli County
Touwu Township 頭屋鄉 362 ⒭———Miaoli County
Tucheng District 土城區 236———New Taipei City
Tuku Township 土庫鎮 633 ⒰———Yunlin County
Waipu District 外埔區 438———Taichung City
Wandan Township 萬丹鄉 913 ⒭———Pingtung County
Wang’an Township 望安鄉 882 ⒭———Penghu County
Wanhua District 萬華區 108———Taipei City
Wanli District 萬里區 207———New Taipei City
Wanluan Township 萬巒鄉 923 ⒭———Pingtung County
Wanrong Township 萬榮鄉 979 ⒭———Hualien County
Wenshan District 文山區 116———Taipei City
West Central District 中西區 700———Tainan City
West District 西區 403———Taichung City
West District 西區 600———Chiayi City
Wufeng District 霧峰區 413———Taichung City
Wufeng Township 五峰鄉 311 ⒭———Hsinchu County
Wugu District 五股區 248———New Taipei City
Wujie Township 五結鄉 268 ⒭———Yilan County
Wulai District 烏來區 233———New Taipei City
Wuqi District 梧棲區 435———Taichung City
Wuqiu Township 烏坵鄉 896 ⒭———Kinmen County
Wuri District 烏日區 414———Taichung City
Wutai Township 霧台鄉 902 ⒭———Pingtung County
Xiangshan District 香山區 300———Hsinchu City
Xianxi Township 線西鄉 507 ⒭———Changhua County
Xiaogang District 小港區 812———Kaohsiung City
Xiaying District 下營區 735———Tainan City
Xigang District 西港區 723———Tainan City
Xihu Township 西湖鄉 368 ⒭———Miaoli County
Xihu Township 溪湖鎮 514 ⒰———Changhua County
Xikou Township 溪口鄉 623 ⒭———Chiayi County
Xiluo Township 西螺鎮 648 ⒰———Yunlin County
Xincheng Township 新城鄉 971 ⒭———Hualien County
Xindian District 新店區 231———New Taipei City
Xinfeng Township 新豐鄉 304 ⒭———Hsinchu County
Xingang Township 新港鄉 616 ⒭———Chiayi County
Xinhua District 新化區 712———Tainan City
Xinpi Township 新埤鄉 925 ⒭———Pingtung County
Xinpu Township 新埔鎮 305 ⒰———Hsinchu County
Xinshe District 新社區 426———Taichung City
Xinshi District 新市 區 744———Tainan City
Xinwu District 新屋區 327———Taoyuan City
Xinxing District 新興區 800———Kaohsiung City
Xinyi District 信義區 110———Taipei City
Xinyi District 信義區 201———Keelung City
Xinyi Township 信義鄉 556 ⒭———Nantou County
Xinying District 新營區 730———Tainan City
Xinyuan Township 新園鄉 932 ⒭———Pingtung County
Xinzhuang District 新莊區 242———New Taipei City
Xitun District 西屯區 407———Taichung City
Xiulin Township 秀林鄉 972 ⒭———Hualien County
Xiushui Township 秀水鄉 504 ⒭———Changhua County
Xiyu Township 西嶼鄉 881 ⒭———Penghu County
Xizhi District 汐止區 221———New Taipei City
Xizhou Township 溪州鄉 524 ⒭———Changhua County
Xuejia District 學甲區 726———Tainan City
Yanchao District 燕巢區 824———Kaohsiung City
Yancheng District 鹽埕區 803———Kaohsiung City
Yangmei District 楊梅區 326———Taoyuan City
Yanping Township 延平鄉 953 ⒭———Taitung County
Yanpu Township 鹽埔鄉 907 ⒭———Pingtung County
Yanshui District 鹽水區 737———Tainan City
Yilan City 宜蘭市 260———Yilan County
Yilan County 宜蘭縣 [260–272]
Yingge District 鶯歌區 239———New Taipei City
Yizhu Township 義竹鄉 624 ⒭———Chiayi County
Yong’an District 永安區 828———Kaohsiung City
Yonghe District 永和區 234———New Taipei City
Yongjing Township 永靖鄉 512 ⒭———Changhua County
Yongkang District 永康區 710———Tainan City
Yuanchang Township 元長鄉 655 ⒭———Yunlin County
Yuanli Township 苑裡鎮 358 ⒰———Miaoli County
Yuanlin City 員林市 510———Changhua County
Yuanshan Township 員山鄉 264 ⒭———Yilan County
Yuchi Township 魚池鄉 555 ⒭———Nantou County
Yujing District 玉井區 714———Tainan City
Yuli Township 玉里鎮 981 ⒰———Hualien County
Yunlin County 雲林縣 [630–655]
Zaoqiao Township 造橋鄉 361 ⒭———Miaoli County
Zhonghe District 中和區 235———New Taipei City
Zhongli District 中壢區 320———Taoyuan City
Zhongliao Township 中寮鄉 541 ⒭———Nantou County
Zhongpu Township 中埔鄉 606 ⒭———Chiayi County
Zhongshan District 中山區 104———Taipei City
Zhongshan District 中山區 203———Keelung City
Zhongzheng District 中正區 100———Taipei City
Zhongzheng District 中正區 202———Keelung City
Zhuangwei Township 壯圍鄉 263 ⒭———Yilan County
Zhubei City 竹北市 302———Hsinchu County
Zhudong Township 竹東鎮 310 ⒰———Hsinchu County
Zhunan Township 竹南鎮 350 ⒰———Miaoli County
Zhuolan Township 卓蘭鎮 369 ⒰———Miaoli County
Zhuoxi Township 卓溪鄉 982 ⒭———Hualien County
Zhuqi Township 竹崎鄉 604 ⒭———Chiayi County
Zhushan Township 竹山鎮 557 ⒰———Nantou County
Zhutang Township 竹塘鄉 525 ⒭———Changhua County
Zhutian Township 竹田鄉 911 ⒭———Pingtung County
Ziguan District 梓官區 826———Kaohsiung City
Zuoying District 左營區 813———Kaohsiung City
Zuozhen District 左鎮區 713———Tainan City

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◆ The provincial level of the ROC

• Taiwan Province
• Fujian Province (ROC)
• A remark about Chekiang (Zhejiang) province

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Taiwan Province

✉ Taiwan Provincial Government 台灣省 省政府
No. 1 Shengfu Road, Zhongxing New Village, Nantou City, Nantou County 54002, Taiwan ROC [54002 南投縣南投市中興新村省府路 1 號]

• History of the Taiwan Provincial Government (TPG)
• Legal aspects of Taiwan in the ROC
• Taiwan provincial administration

History of the Taiwan Provincial Government (TPG)

The ROC government set up the Taiwan Province administrative Official Public Ministry (Taiwan sheng xingzheng zhangguan gongshu 台灣省行政長官公署) on Sept. 1, 1945. Its was replaced on April 22, 1947 by the Taiwan Provincial government (Taiwan shengzhengfu 台灣省政府, abbrev. TPG). The post of TPG chairman was filled via direct popular elections only once when James Soong of the KMT received an absolute majority of the votes on Dec. 3, 1994, defeating four opponents. On the multi-party National Development Conference (guojia fazhan huiyi 國家發展會議, abbrev. guofahui 國發會) which took place Dec. 23–28, 1996 in Taipei, it was decided to downsize or 'streamline' the TPG (jingsheng 精省). To that end, the ROC National Assembly changed the ROC Constitution on July 18, 1997 (fourth amendment, went into effect on July 21, 1997). The TPG streamlining process began in December 1998 and was completed by the end of 2000, making it a nonautonomous body under the ROC central government.

Among the agencies which were shut down the Taiwan Provincial Assembly (Taiwan sheng yihui 台灣省議會, abbrev. TPA, 🏁—yizhang 議長) aka Taiwan Provincial Council should be mentioned. It was established on May 1, 1946 as Taiwan Representative Council (Taiwansheng canyihui 台灣省參議會), renamed to Taiwan Temporary Provincial Council (Taiwansheng linshi shengyiyhui 台灣省臨時省議會) in December 1951 and to TPA in June 1959. When the TPA was abolished on Dec. 21, 1998, it was replaced with the Taiwan Provincial Consultative Council (Taiwansheng ziyihui 台灣省諮議會, abbrev. TPCC, 🏁—ziyizhang 諮議長) with up to 29 members appointed for a 3-year term by the ROC president on recommendation of the ROC premier.

On May 28, 2018 then-TPG governor Wu Tse-cheng announced that beginning 2019 the TPG would no longer be funded, and members of the TPCC would to be reassigned to county and municipal governments. The TPCC and the position of TPG governor were abolished at the end of June 2018.

Legal aspects of Taiwan in the ROC

Before the unconditional surrender of Japan at the end of WWII, Taiwan was not a province of the ROC. The Qing dynasty (1644-1911) had ceded Taiwan to Japan in the Treaty of Shimonoseki (maguan tiaoyue 馬關條約) which was signed on April 17, 1895. While Taiwan was still a Japanese colony, the Allies announced in their Cairo Declaration on Dec. 1, 1943 that Taiwan and other territories which Japan had 'stolen from the Chinese' should be restored to the ROC. That demand was included under Point 8 in the Potsdam Declaration of July 26, 1945. Japan accepted the provisions of the Potsdam Declaration in her First Instrument of Surrender (Riben toujiangshu 日本投降書) on Sept. 2, 1945, and on Oct. 25 that year the administration over Taiwan was transferred to the ROC when Japan's last Governor-general in Taiwan Ando Rikichi 安藤利吉 formally signed an instrument of surrender and handed it to ROC representative Chen Yi 陳儀 in a ceremony in the Taipei Public Auditorium 台北公會堂 (today's Zhongshan Hall 中山堂).

While it is undeniable that the ROC exercises de facto control over Taiwan, the question whether the authority of the ROC over Taiwan is legitimate remains a highly controversial issue. Of course, the ROC government insists it has sovereignty over Taiwan. However, critics argue that after the end of WWII the ROC administrated Taiwan under the aegis of the wartime Allies as an occupying power, while Japan de jure retained sovereignty until 1952. In Article 2 of the San Francisco Peace Treaty (SFPT), signed on Sept. 8, 1951 and effective on April 28, 1952, Japan renounced 'all right, title and claim to Formosa and the Pescadores', with no mention who should receive sovereignty over Taiwan. A clause similar to that in the SFPT was included in Article 2 of the Peace Treaty between the ROC and Japan (Zhonghua minguo yu Riben guojian heping tiaoyue 中華民國與日本國間和平條約), signed in Taipei on the same day the SFPT came into force. In the treaty with the ROC Japan also recognized that nationals of the ROC included all the inhabitants of Taiwan and Penghu (Article 10), and all treaties between China and Japan concluded before Dec. 9, 1941 had become null and void (Article 4). On the other hand, after Japan's First Instrument of Surrender no additional official document valid under international law was created or signed in which the ROC was explicitly named as formal recipient of sovereignty over Taiwan. (See also Department of State Bulletin, Vol. XXXIX, No. 1017, dated Dec. 22, 1958, pp. 1005-1011: “Legal Problems Regarding Formosa and the Offshore Islands” by Ely Maurer, Assistant Legal Adviser for Far Eastern Affairs.) Likewise, no additional official document valid under international law was created or signed in which the Potsdam Declaration's provisions were explicitly rescinded.

Taiwan provincial administration

● Governors of Taiwan province 1945-2018

The governors of Taiwan and Fujian provinces in the ROC used the official title "chairman of provincial government" (shengzhengfu zhuxi 省政府主席) instead of "governor" (shengzhang 省長). The organizational structure of TPG comprised the chairman, secretary-general (mishuzhang 秘書長), deputy secretary-general (fu mishuzhang 副秘書長), and committee members (weiyuan 委員) as well as the following Departments:

▶  Civil-Social-Health-Environment Division (min she wei huan zu 民社衛環祖)
▶  Financial-Economic-Transportation-Regulations Division (cai jing jiao fa zu 財經交法祖)
▶  Education-Culture-Data Devision (jiaowen ji ziliao zu 教文及資料組)
▶  Administration Division (xingzhengzu 行政組)
▶  Personnel Office (renshishi 人事室)
▶  Accounting Office (kuaijishi 會計室)
▶  Civil Service Ethics Office (zhengfengshi 政風室)
▶  Taiwan Provincial Teacher Appeal and Evaluation Committee (Taiwansheng jiaoshi shensu pingyi weiyuanhui 台灣省教師申訴評議委員會)

● Distribution of seats in the TPA

● TPA speakers (1946–1998)

Tsai Hung-wen was acting speaker between 1972 and 1973.

✉ Taiwan Provincial Consultative Council (TPCC) 台灣省諮議會
No. 734 Zhongzheng Road, Wufeng District, Taichung City 41341, Taiwan ROC [41341 台中市霧峰區中正路 734 號]

● TPCC speakers (1998–2018)

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Fujian Province (ROC)

✉ Fujian Provincial Government 福建省 省政府
No. 34 Minquan Road, Jincheng Town, Kinmen County 89345, Fujian ROC [89345 福建省金門縣金城鎮民權路 34 號]

Note: During its retreat from advancing Communist forces on the mainland, the ROC moved its HQ of the Fujian provincial government from Fuzhou 福州 (now under PRC control) to Kinmen on Aug. 17, 1949. Between July 1956 and Jan. 15, 1996 the agency resided in Xindian (then Taipei County), using office space which would subsequently become the seat of the Fuchien Provincial Government Taipei Liaison Office (address see directly below).

✉ Fuchien Provincial Government Taipei Liaison Office 福建省政府台北辦事處
No. 2 Lane 228, Beixin Road Sec. 2, Xindian District, New Taipei City 23143, Taiwan ROC [23143 新北市新店區北新路 2 段 228 巷 2 號]

The organizational structure of Fujian Provincial Government (Fujian shengzhengfu 福建省政府, abbrev. FPG) comprised the following departments—First Division (diyizu 第一組), Second Division (dierzu 第二組), Third Division (disanzu 第三組), Personnel Office (renshishi 人事室), Accounting Office (zhujishi 主計室), and Civil Service Ethics Office (zhengfengshi 政風室). The FPG was merged into the Kinmen-Matsu Joint Services Center (xingzhengyuan Jin Ma lianhe fuwu zhongxin 行政院金馬聯合服務中心) under the Executive Yuan at the end of December 2018.

The two counties left under the ROC's Fujian Province are Kinmen County and Lienchiang County (Matsu).

● Governors of Fujian province

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A remark about Chekiang (Zhejiang) province

Between 1949 and 1955 the ROC controlled the Dachen Islands (Dachen liedao 大陳列島), a group of 29 islands and islets which are part of Chekiang Province (spelled "Zhejiang" in today's PRC). The ROC maintained a provincial government for Chekiang Province there after the loss of the mainland, but on July 23, 1953 Chekiang's provincial governor of the ROC and his office were moved to Taiwan. On Jan. 18, 1955 forces of the PRC's People's Liberation Army (Zhongguo renmin jiefangjun 中國人民解放軍, abbrev. PLA) launched an offensive against Yijiangshan Island (Yijiangshan dao 一江山島)—one of the Dachen Islands—and captured it on Jan. 20. The Dachen Islands were completely evacuated by the ROC between Feb. 8–12, an operation for the most part carried out by the US Navy's Seventh Fleet. PLA forces landed on the Dachen Islands on Feb. 13, 1955, the same day 14,483 residents from the islands arrived at Taiwan's Keelung harbour. The ROC's Chekiang provincial government was abolished after the loss of the Dachen Islands.

● Governors of Chekiang Province (ROC) after WWII

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===== ===== ===== ===== =====

◆ Special municipalities in the ROC

• Taipei City
• Kaohsiung City
• New Taipei City
• Taoyuan City
• Taichung City
• Tainan City

(Jump to ROC counties or to ROC county-level cities)

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Taipei City 🚩

• Area and population
• City administration
• Legislative representation
• Additional information about Taipei city

✉ Taipei City Government 台北市 市政府
No. 1 Shihfu Road, Xinyi District, Taipei City 11008, Taiwan ROC [11008 台北市信義區市府路 1 號] ———————————— 🌏 Taipei City Government – Web link
Old logo of Taipei City (before Dec. 25, 2010)

Media reports and other publications often refer to Taipei as the capital (shoudu 首都) of the ROC, but strictly speaking the city is not the nation's capital. Taipei's correct official denomination would be "seat of the central government" (zhongyang zhengfu suozaidi 中央政府所在地).

Area and population

AREA—271.7997 km² (no indigenous communities). According to Google Earth, the city limits are located between latitude 24° 34' 12"–25° 07' 12" N and longitude 121° 16' 12"–121° 23' 24" E.

POPULATION DEVELOPMENT SINCE 1975—(figures for the end of the year)

City administration

● Taipei city government structure

Taipei City Government (Taibei shizhengfu 台北市政府) is comprised of 18 main departments and 15 other departments/commissions/administrations. There are also 12 district offices (qugongsuo 區公所) which are not listed here but are consistent with the districts shown in the paragraph "administrative division" above as each district has its own district office.

18 main departments:
—Department of Civil Affairs (minzhengju 民政局),
—Department of Finance (caizhengju 財政局),
—Department of Sports (tiyuju 體育局),
—Department of Education (jiaoyuju 教育局),
—Department of Economic Development (chanye fazhanju 產業發展局),
—Public Works Department (gongwuju 工務局),
—Department of Social Welfare (shehuiju 社會局),
—Taipei City Police Department (jingchaju 警察局),
—Department of Health (weishengju 衛生局),
—Department of Environmental Protection (huanjing baohuju 環境保護局),
—Department of Land (dizhengju 地政局),
—Department of Information and Tourism (guanguang chuanboju 觀光傳播局),
—Taipei Water Department (zilaishui chu 自來水處),
—Department of Rapid Transit Systems (jieyun gongchengju 捷運工程局, abbrev. DORTS),
—Department of Labor (laodongju 勞動局),
—Department of Transportation (jiaotongju 交通局),
—Department of Urban Development (dushi fazhanju 都市發展局), and
—Department of Cultural Affairs (wenhuaju 文化局).

15 other departments, commissions and administrations:
—Secretariat (mishuchu 秘書處),
—Department of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (zhujichu 主計處),
—Research, Development and Evaluation Commission (yankaohui 研考會),
—Urban Planning Commission (dushi jihua weiyuanhui 都市計畫委員會),
—Department of Legal Affairs (fawuju 法務局),
—Department of Personnel (renshichu 人事處),
—Department of Information Technology (zixunju 資訊局),
—Department of Compulsory Military Service (bingyiju 兵役局),
—Department of Government Ethics (zhengfengchu 政風處),
—Taipei City Fire Department (xiaofangju 消防局),
—Indigenous Peoples Commission (yuanminhui 原民會),
—Department of Civil Servant Development (gongxunchu 公訓處),
—Taipei Feitsui Reservoir Administration (Feicui shuiku guanliju 翡翠水庫管理局),
—Hakka Affairs Commission (keweihui 客委會), and
—Metro Taipei (jieyun gongsi 捷運公司).

● Taipei city mayors since 1945

Note: Between 1951 and 1967, Taipei's mayor was elected directly by the city's citizens. Taipei's administrative status was raised to Special Municipality on July 1, 1967. Since December 1994, the mayor of Taipei is again elected directly by the citizens of Taipei (between 1967 and 1994 the mayor of a special municipality in the ROC was appointed by the ROC president). Political affiliation of Taipei mayors since martial law was lifted—Hsu, Wu, Huang, Ma, Hau and Chiang = KMT; Chen = DPP; Ko = Independent. (Ko established the Taiwan People's Party [Taiwan minzhongdang 台灣民眾黨, abbrev. TPP] on Aug. 6, 2019 and became the party's first chairman.)

● Administrative division
 12 districts:

One noteworthy area within Taipei's Zhongzheng District is Boai Special District (boai tequ 博愛特區) where the ROC presidential office building, the official residences of the ROC president and the ROC legislative speaker as well as several other important ROC agencies are located.

Legislative representation

COMPOSITION OF ELECTORAL DISTRICTS FOR THE ROC LEGISLATIVE YUAN

LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATION SINCE 2008—(By-elections not included)

Additional information about Taipei city

PROTECTED AREAS IN THE CITY—[part of] Yangmingshan National Park 陽明山國家公園; Guandu Nature Reserve 關渡自然保留區; Hokutolite Nature Reserve 北投石自然保留區; Taipei City Waterbird Refuge 臺北市野雁保護區; Jhonghsing and Yungfu Bridges Major Wildlife Habitat 中興橋永福橋野生動物重要棲息環境; [part of] Danshuei Estuary Protection Area 淡水河口保護區

SELECTED SIGHTS—Taipei 101 台北一０一, Shihlin Night Market 士林夜市, Red House Theater 紅樓劇場, Dadaocheng 大稻埕 (aka Twatutia) and Dihua Street 迪化街, CKS Memorial Hall 中正紀念堂, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall 國父紀念館, Lungshan Temple 龍山寺, Hsingtien Temple 行天宮, Dalongdong Baoan Temple 大龍峒保安宮, Confucius Temple 孔子廟, Martyr's Shrine 忠烈祠, Chihnan Temple 指南宮, Taipei Zoo 臺北市立動物園, Maokong Gondola 貓空纜車, Peitou Hot Springs 北投溫泉, Yangmingshan National Park 陽明山國家公園, Ching-kuo Chi-hai Cultural Park 經國七海文化園區, National Palace Museum 故宮博物院, Taipei Fine Arts Museum 台北市立美術館, National Taiwan Museum 國立台灣博物館, National Museum of History 國立歷史博物館, Shung Ye Museum of Formosan Aborigines 順益台灣原住民博物館, 228 Memorial Museum 二二八紀念館, Ama Museum 阿嬤家 - 和平與女性人權館 (operated by the Taipei Women's Rescue Foundation, currently temporarily closed)

Please note that since 2010 a twin-city forum is held annually between Taipei and Shanghai (Taibei Shanghai chengshi luntan 台北上海城市論壇), with each city taking turns to hold it. The main purpose of the forum is to promote city-to-city interactions with a focus on urban administration and economic development, and it is based on shared values such as mutual understanding, mutual respect and mutual cooperation.

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Kaohsiung City 🚩

• Area and population
• City administration
• Legislative representation
• Additional information about Kaohsiung city

✉ Kaohsiung City Government 高雄市 市政府
No. 2 Sihwei 3rd Road, Lingya District, Kaohsiung City 80203, Taiwan ROC [80203 高雄市苓雅區四維三路 2 號] ———————————— 🌏 Kaohsiung City Government – Web link
Old logo of Kaohsiung City (before Dec. 25, 2010)

Note: Local autonomy (difang zizhi 地方自治) was implemented in May 1951. Kaohsiung City was declared a Special Municipality on July 1, 1979, and since December 1994 the post of mayor is filled by direct popular election. The area of Kaohsiung City was expanded on Dec. 25, 2010 by the inclusion of Kaohsiung County.

Area and population

AREA—2,951.8524 km², including 1,375.9695 km² indigenous communities (46.613 percent of Kaohsiung City’s area). Click here to see a map showing the indigenous communities in the city highlighted with torquoise colour. According to Google Earth, the city limits are located between latitude 22° 16' 48"–23° 16' 48" N and longitude 120° 06' 00"–121° 01' 12" E. The Tropic of Cancer 北回歸線 (latitude 23° 26' 13.8" N) crosses Kaohsiung City.

POPULATION DEVELOPMENT SINCE 1975—(figures for the end of the year)

Figures for 1975–2009 represent Kaohsiung city and Kaohsiung county combined (separate figures for that period can be found here). According to MOI statistics, at the end of 2010—when Kaohsiung City and Kaohsiung County were merged—the former had 1,529,947 inhabitants, the latter 1,243,536 inhabitants.

Major indigenous peoples: Bunun, Hla’alua, Kanakanavu, Rukai, Tsou (see also The indigenous peoples in contemporary Taiwan)

City administration

● Kaohsiung city government structure

Kaohsiung City Government (Gaoxiong shizhengfu 高雄市政府) is comprised of 23 bureaus, 3 commissions and 4 other departments/offices. There are also 38 district offices (qugongsuo 區公所) which are not listed here but are consistent with the districts shown in the paragraph "administrative division" above as each district has its own district office.

23 bureaus:
—Civil Affairs Bureau (minzhengju 民政局),
—Finance Bureau (caizhengju 財政局),
—Education Bureau (jiaoyuju 教育局),
—Economic Development Bureau (jingji fazhanju 經濟發展局),
—Marine Bureau (haiyangju 海洋局),
—Agriculture Bureau (nongyeju 農業局),
—Tourism Bureau (guanguangju 觀光局),
—Urban Development Bureau (dushi fazhanju 都市發展局),
—Public Works Bureau (gongwuju 工務局),
—Water Resources Bureau (shuiliju 水利局),
—Social Affairs Bureau (shehuiju 社會局),
—Labor Affairs Bureau (laogongju 勞工局),
—Kaohsiung City Police Department (jingchaju 警察局),
—Fire Bureau (xiaofangju 消防局),
—Department of Health (weishengju 衛生局),
—Environmental Protection Bureau (huanjing baohuju 環境保護局),
—Kaohsiung Mass Rapid Transit (jieyun gongchengju 捷運工程局),
—Bureau of Cultural Affairs (wenhuaju 文化局),
—Transportation Bureau (jiaotongju 交通局),
—Legal Affairs Bureau (fazhiju 法制局),
—Military Service Bureau (bingyiju 兵役局),
—Land Administration Bureau (dizhengju 地政局), and
—Information Bureau (xinwenju 新聞局).

3 commissions:
—Research, Development and Evaluation Commission (yanjiu fazhan kaohe weiyuanhui 研究發展考核委員會),
—Indigenous Affairs Commission (yuanzhumin shiwu weiyuanhui 原住民事務委員會), and
—Hakka Affairs Commission (kejia shiwu weiyuanhui 客家事務委員會).

4 other departments and offices:
—Secretariat (mishuchu 秘書處),
—Department of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (zhujichu 主計處),
—Personnel Department (renshichu 人事處), and
—Civil Service Ethics Office (zhengfengchu 政風處).

● Kaohsiung city mayors since 1945

Political affiliation of Kaohsiung mayors since martial law was lifted—Su, Wu and Han = KMT; Hsieh, Chen Chi-mai, Yeh, Chen Chu and Hsu = DPP; Yang = independent.

● Administrative division
 38 districts (red numbers indicate districts of old Kaohsiung City before 2010), including 3 Mountain Aborigines communities (Ⓜ):

Formal jurisdiction of Kaohsiung City extends to the disputed Nanhai Islands 南海島 / aka South China Sea Islands (including Dongsha Islands 東沙群島 817 aka Pratas Islands, and Nansha Islands 南沙群島 819 aka Spratly Islands, including Taiping Island).

Please note that the grey areas on the map in the middle indicate the districts which constituted Kaohsiung City before December 25, 2010, shown more detailed in the map on the right.

Legislative representation

COMPOSITION OF ELECTORAL DISTRICTS FOR THE ROC LEGISLATIVE YUAN

On Jan. 11, 2019 the CEC announced a redrawing of legislative districts, cutting one seat from Kaohsiung city. An overview of changed electoral districts is shown below (electoral districts 1–4 unchanged!):

LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATION SINCE 2008—(By-elections not included)

Additional information about Kaohsiung city

PROTECTED AREAS IN THE CITY—Dongsha Atoll National Park 東沙環礁國家公園; [part of] Yushan National Park 玉山國家公園; Shoushan National Nature Park 壽山國家自然公園; Chuyunshan Nature Reserve 出雲山自然保留區; Wushanding Mud Volcano Nature Reserve 烏山頂泥火山自然保留區; Kaohsiung City Nanzihsian River Wildlife Refuge 高雄市那瑪夏區楠梓仙溪野生動物保護區; Jiahsian Sihde Fossil Reserve 甲仙四德化石自然保護區; Shihbaluohanshan Forest Reserve 十八羅漢山自然保護區; Nanzihsian River Major Wildlife Habitat 楠梓仙溪野生動物重要棲息環境; [part of] Shuangguei Lake Major Wildlife Habitat 雙鬼湖野生動物重要棲息環境

SELECTED SIGHTS—Shoushan 壽山, Love River 愛河, Zuoying Old City 左營舊城, Former British Consulate at Takao 打狗英國領事館, Tuntex Sky Tower 高雄 85 大樓, Dream Mall 夢時代購物中心, Kaohsiung Lighthouse Park 高雄燈塔, Meinong Hakka Culture Museum 美濃客家文物館, Taiwan Sugar Museum 台灣糖業博物館, Fo Guang Shan Buddha Memorial Center 佛光山佛陀紀念館, Liuhe Night Market 六合夜市

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New Taipei City 🚩

• Area and population
• City administration
• Legislative representation
• Additional information about New Taipei City

✉ New Taipei City Government 新北市 市政府
No. 161 Zhongshan Road Sec. 1, Banqiao District, New Taipei City 22001, Taiwan ROC [22001 新北市板橋區中山路 1 段 161 號] ———————————— 🌏 New Taipei City Government – Web link
Old logo of Taipei County (before Dec. 25, 2010)

Note: Before it was renamed and upgraded to Special Municipality on Dec. 25, 2010, New Taipei City was called Taipei County (Taibei xian 台北縣). After an amendment to the Local Government Act (difang zhidufa 地方制度法) was promulgated on May 3, 2007, the status of Taipei County was upgraded to "quasi-special municipality" on Oct. 1, 2007.

Area and population

AREA—2,052.5667 km², including 321.1306 km² indigenous communities (15.645 percent of New Taipei City’s area). Click here to see a map showing the indigenous communities in the city highlighted with torquoise colour. According to Google Earth, the city limits are located between latitude 24° 24' 00"–25° 10' 12" N and longitude 121° 09' 36"–122° 00' 00" E.

POPULATION DEVELOPMENT SINCE 1975—(figures for the end of the year)

Major indigenous peoples: Atayal (see also The indigenous peoples in contemporary Taiwan)

City administration

● New Taipei City mayors since 1989

● Administrative division
 29 districts, including 1 Mountain Aborigines community (Ⓜ):

Legislative representation

COMPOSITION OF ELECTORAL DISTRICTS FOR THE ROC LEGISLATIVE YUAN

LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATION SINCE 2008—(By-elections not included)

Additional information about New Taipei City

PROTECTED AREAS IN THE CITY—[part of] Yangmingshan National Park 陽明山國家公園; [part of] Hapen Nature Reserve 哈盆自然保留區; Pinglin Keteleeria Nature Reserve 坪林台灣油杉自然保留區; Danshuei River Mangrove Nature Reserve 淡水河紅樹林自然保留區; [part of] Chatianshan Nature Reserve 插天山自然保留區; Wazihwei Nature Reserve 挖子尾自然保留區; Feitsui Reservoir Snake-eating Turtle Wildlife Refuge 翡翠水庫食蛇龜野生動物保護區; [part of] Cilan (or Chilan) Major Wildlife Habitat 棲蘭野生動物重要棲息環境; Feitsui Reservoir Snake-eating Turtle Major Wildlife Habitat 翡翠水庫食蛇龜野生動物重要棲息環境; North Shore Coastal Protection Area 北海岸沿海保護區; [part of] Danshuei Estuary Protection Area 淡水河口保護區; [part of] Northeast Coastal Protection Area 東北角沿海保護區

SELECTED SIGHTS—Yeliu 野柳, Wulai 烏來, Jiufen 九份, Longdong 龍洞, Tamsui 淡水, Fort San Domingo 紅毛城, Lin Family Mansion and Garden 林家花園, Ju Ming Museum 朱銘美術館, Fugueijiao Lighthouse 富貴角燈塔 near the island's northernmost point, Cape San Diego aka Cape Santiago 三貂角 and SDJ Lighthouse 三貂角燈塔 near the island's easternmost point, Zushi Temple 清水祖師廟, Luku Incident Memorial Park 鹿窟事件紀念公園, Yingge Ceramics Museum 鶯歌陶瓷博物館, Museum of World Religions 世界宗教博物館, Shihsanhang Museum of Archaeology 十三行博物館, Tamsui Historical Museum 淡水古蹟博物館, Gold Museum 黃金博物館, Ankang Guesthouse 安康接待室 (former White Terror era detention center)

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Taoyuan City 🚩

• Area and population
• City administration
• Legislative representation
• Additional information about Taoyuan city

✉ Taoyuan City Government 桃園市 市政府
No. 1 Shianfu Road, Taoyuan District, Taoyuan City 33001, Taiwan ROC [33001 桃園市桃園區縣府路 1 號] ———————————— 🌏 Taoyuan City Government – Web link

Note: Before it was renamed and upgraded to Special Municipality on Dec. 25, 2014, Taoyuan City was called Taoyuan County (Taoyuan xian 桃園縣). The status of Taoyuan County was upgraded to "quasi-special municipality" on Jan. 1, 2011.

Area and population

AREA—1,220.9540 km², including 350.7775 km² indigenous communities (28.729 percent of Taoyuan City’s area). Click here to see a map showing the indigenous communities in the city highlighted with torquoise colour. According to Google Earth, the city limits are located between latitude 24° 21' 00"–25° 04' 12" N and longitude 120° 35' 24"–121° 16' 48" E.

POPULATION DEVELOPMENT SINCE 1975—(figures for the end of the year)

Major indigenous peoples: Atayal (see also The indigenous peoples in contemporary Taiwan)

City administration

● Taoyuan City mayors since 1989

● Administrative division
 13 districts, including 1 Mountain Aborigines community (Ⓜ):

Legislative representation

COMPOSITION OF ELECTORAL DISTRICTS FOR THE ROC LEGISLATIVE YUAN

LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATION SINCE 2008—(By-elections not included)

Additional information about Taoyuan city

PROTECTED AREAS IN THE CITY—[part of] Yuanyang Lake Nature Reserve 鴛鴦湖自然保留區; [part of] Chatianshan Nature Reserve 插天山自然保留區; Taoyuan Gaorong Wildlife Refuge 桃園高榮野生動物保護區; Taoyuan Guan-Xin Algal Reefs Ecosystem Wildlife Refuge 桃園觀新藻礁生態系野生動物保護區; [part of] Cilan (or Chilan) Major Wildlife Habitat 棲蘭野生動物重要棲息環境; Taoyuan Gaorong Major Wildlife Habitat 桃園高榮野生動物重要棲息環境; Taoyuan Guan-Xin Algal Reefs Ecosystem Major Wildlife Habitat 桃園觀新藻礁生態系野生動物重要棲息環境

SELECTED SIGHTS—Daxi Old Street 大溪老街, Cihu Mausoleum 慈湖陵寢 with the Cihu Memorial Sculpture Park 慈湖紀念雕塑公園, Taoyuan Martyr's Shrine 桃園忠烈祠, Lalashan 拉拉山, Window on China Theme Park 小人國主題樂園, 1895 Yiweibaotai Memorial Park 乙未保台紀念公園

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Taichung City 🚩

• Area and population
• City administration
• Legislative representation
• Additional information about Taichung city

✉ Taichung City Government 台中市 市政府
No. 89 Taijhonggang Road Sec. 2, Xitun District, Taichung City 40756, Taiwan ROC [40756 台中市西屯區台中港路 2 段 89 號] ———————————— 🌏 Taichung City Government – Web link
Old logo of Taichung City (before Dec. 25, 2010)

Note: On Dec. 25, 2010, Taichung City was merged with Taichung County and elevated to the status of Special Municipality.

Please note that the seat of the former Taichung County Government is now used by the Taichung City Government as Yangming Civic Center 台中市政府陽明市政大樓, address: No. 36 Yangming Street, Fongyuan District, Taichung City 42007, Taiwan ROC [42007 台中市豐原區陽明街 36 號].

Area and population

AREA—2,214.8968 km², including 1,037.8192 km² indigenous communities (46.856 percent of Taichung City’s area). Click here to see a map showing the indigenous communities in the city highlighted with torquoise colour. According to Google Earth, the city limits are located between latitude 23° 35' 24"–24° 15' 36" N and longitude 120° 16' 48"–121° 16' 12" E.

POPULATION DEVELOPMENT SINCE 1975—(figures for the end of the year)

Figures for 1975–2009 represent Taichung city and Taichung county combined (separate figures for that period can be found here). According to MOI statistics, at the end of 2010—when Taichung City and Taichung County were merged—the former had 1,082,299 inhabitants, the latter 1,566,120 inhabitants.

Major indigenous peoples: Atayal (see also The indigenous peoples in contemporary Taiwan)

City administration

● Taichung City mayors since 1989

● Administrative division
 29 districts (red numbers indicate districts of old Taichung City before 2010), including 1 Mountain Aborigines community (Ⓜ):

Please note that the grey areas on the map in the middle indicate the districts which constituted Taichung City before Dec. 25, 2010, shown more detailed in the map above right.

Legislative representation

COMPOSITION OF ELECTORAL DISTRICTS FOR THE ROC LEGISLATIVE YUAN

Please note that according to an announcement made by the CEC on Jan. 11, 2019 concerning the 2020 elections for the Tenth Legislative Yuan, Taichung's boroughs Donghu 東湖 and Sihu 西湖 are to be incorporated into Taichung's 7th electoral district from the 2nd, joining the rest of Dali District.

LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATION SINCE 2008—(By-elections not included)

Additional information about Taichung city

PROTECTED AREAS IN THE CITY—[part of] Taroko National Park 太魯閣國家公園; [part of] Shei-pa National Park 雪霸國家公園; [part of] Mt. Chiu-chiu Nature Reserve 九九峰自然保留區; [part of] Dadu Estuary Wildlife Refuge 大肚溪口野生動物保護區; Formosan Landlocked Salmon Refuge 櫻花鉤吻鮭野生動物保護區; Gaomei Wildlife Refuge 臺中市高美野生動物保護區; [part of] Syueba Nature Reserve 雪霸自然保護區; Wuling Formosan Landlocked Salmon Major Habitat 武陵櫻花鉤吻鮭重要棲息環境; [part of] Dadu Estuary Major Wildlife Habitat 大肚溪口野生動物重要棲息環境; Gaomei Major Wildlife Habitat 高美野生動物重要棲息環境

SELECTED SIGHTS—Pao Hueh Temple 寶覺禪寺, Wufeng Lin Family Mansion and Garden 霧峰林家宅園, Fengjia Night Market 逢甲夜市, National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts 國立台灣美術館, National Museum of Natural Science 國立自然科學博物館

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Tainan City 🚩

• Area and population
• City administration
• Legislative representation
• Additional information about Tainan city

✉ Tainan City Government 台南市 市政府
No. 6 Yonghua Road Sec. 2, Anping District, Tainan City 70801, Taiwan ROC [70801 台南市安平區永華路 2 段 6 號] ———————————— 🌏 Tainan City Government – Web link
Old logo of Tainan City (before Dec. 25, 2010)

Note: On Dec. 25, 2010, Tainan City was merged with Tainan County and elevated to the status of Special Municipality. The seat of the former Tainan County Government is now used by the Tainan City Government as MinJhih Civic Center 民治市政中心, address: No. 36 Minjhih Road, Sinying District, Tainan City 73001, Taiwan ROC [73001 台南市新營區民治路 36 號].

Area and population

AREA—2,191.6531 km² (no indigenous communities). According to Google Earth, the city limits are located between latitude 22° 31' 48"–23° 14' 24" N and longitude 120° 01' 12"–120° 23' 24" E.

POPULATION DEVELOPMENT SINCE 1975—(figures for the end of the year)

Figures for 1975–2009 represent Tainan city and Tainan county combined (separate figures for that period can be found here). According to MOI statistics, at the end of 2010—when Tainan City and Tainan County were merged—the former had 772,273 inhabitants, the latter 1,101,521 inhabitants.

City administration

● Tainan City mayors since 1989

● Administrative division
 37 districts (red numbers indicate districts of old Tainan City before 2010):

Please note that the grey areas on the map in the middle indicate the districts which constituted Tainan City before Dec. 25, 2010, shown more detailed in the map above right.

Legislative representation

COMPOSITION OF ELECTORAL DISTRICTS FOR THE ROC LEGISLATIVE YUAN

On Jan. 11, 2019 the CEC announced a redrawing of legislative districts, adding one seat to Tainan city. An overview of changed electoral districts is shown below:

LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATION SINCE 2008—(By-elections not included)

Additional information about Tainan city

PROTECTED AREAS IN THE CITY—[part of] Taijiang National Park 台江國家公園; Tainan City Sihcao Wildlife Refuge 臺南市四草野生動物保護區; Tainan City Zengwun Estuary North Bank Black-faced Spoonbill Refuge 臺南縣曾文溪口北岸黑面琵鷺動物保護區; Zengwun Estuary Major Wildlife Habitat 曾文溪口野生動物重要棲息環境; Sicao Major Wildlife Habitat 四草野生動物重要棲息環境; Beimen Coastal Protection Area 北門沿海保護區

SELECTED SIGHTS—Sidian Wumiao 祀典武廟, Confucius Temple 台灣孔廟, Fort Zeelandia 熱蘭遮城 = Anping Fort 安平古堡, Fort Provintia 赤崁樓, Koxinga Shrine 延平郡王祠/鄭成功廟, Tapani Incident Memorial Park 噍吧哖事件紀念園區, Cigu Kuosheng Lighthouse 七股國聖燈塔 near the island's westernmost point, National Museum of Taiwan History 國立臺灣歷史博物館, National Museum of Taiwan Literature 國立臺灣文學館

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===== ===== ===== ===== =====

◆ Counties in the ROC

Hsinchu County Miaoli County Changhua County Nantou County Yunlin County Chiayi County Pingtung County

Yilan County Hualien County Taitung County Penghu County [offshore] Kinmen County (Fujian Province) [offshore] Lienchiang County (Fujian Province) [offshore]

(Jump to ROC special municipalities or to ROC county-level cities)

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Hsinchu County

• Area and population
• County administration
• Legislative representation
• Additional information about Hsinchu county

✉ Hsinchu County Government 新竹縣 縣政府
No. 10 Guangming 6th Road, Jhubei City, Hsinchu County 30210, Taiwan ROC [30210 新竹縣竹北市光明六路 10 號] ———————————— 🌏 Hsinchu County Government – Web link

(Jump to Hsinchu City)

Area and population

AREA—1,427.5369 km², including 880.8268 km² indigenous communities (61.702 percent of Hsinchu County’s area). Click here to see a map showing the indigenous communities in the county highlighted with torquoise colour. According to Google Earth, the county limits are located between latitude 24° 15' 00"–24° 33' 36" N and longitude 120° 33' 36"–121° 14' 24" E.

POPULATION DEVELOPMENT SINCE 1975—(figures for the end of the year)

Please note that before July 1, 1982 Hsinchu county included Hsinchu city, therefore separate figures for Hsinchu county and Hsinchu city are available beginning 1982 only. (See additional remarks below.)

Major indigenous peoples: Saisiyat (see also The indigenous peoples in contemporary Taiwan)

County administration

● Hsinchu county magistrates since 1989

● Administrative division
 1 city, 3 urban townships, 9 rural townships, including 2 Mountain Aborigines communities (Ⓜ) and 1 Plains Aborigines community (Ⓟ):

Legislative representation

ELECTORAL DISTRICTS FOR THE ROC LEGISLATIVE YUAN—Since 2008 Hsinchu County as a whole has been represented in the ROC Legislative Yuan by one electoral district only. On Jan. 11, 2019 the CEC announced a redrawing of Legislative districts, adding one seat to Hsinchu county. An overview of changed electoral districts is shown below:

LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATION SINCE 2008—(By-elections not included)

Additional information about Hsinchu county

PROTECTED AREAS IN THE COUNTY—[part of] Shei-pa National Park 雪霸國家公園; [part of] Yuanyang Lake Nature Reserve 鴛鴦湖自然保留區; [part of] Syueba Nature Reserve 雪霸自然保護區; [part of] Cilan (or Chilan) Major Wildlife Habitat 棲蘭野生動物重要棲息環境

SELECTED SIGHTS—Beipu Citian Temple 北埔慈天宮, Maitreya Great Tao 峨眉天恩彌勒佛院, Tapung Old Fort 李崠古堡, Leofoo Village Theme Park 六福村主題遊樂園, Former Residence of Zhang Xueliang 張學良故居

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Miaoli County

• Area and population
• County administration
• Legislative representation
• Additional information about Miaoli county

✉ Miaoli County Government 苗栗縣 縣政府
No. 100 Sianfu Road, Miaoli City, Miaoli County 36001, Taiwan ROC [36001 苗栗縣苗栗市縣府路 100 號] ———————————— 🌏 Miaoli County Government – Web link

Area and population

AREA—1,820.3149 km², including 859.4389 km² indigenous communities (47.213 percent of Miaoli County’s area). Click here to see a map showing the indigenous communities in the county highlighted with torquoise colour. According to Google Earth, the county limits are located between latitude 24° 10' 12"–24° 26' 24" N and longitude 120° 22' 12"–121° 09' 00" E.

POPULATION DEVELOPMENT SINCE 1975—(figures for the end of the year)

Major indigenous peoples: Saisiyat (see also The indigenous peoples in contemporary Taiwan)

County administration

● Miaoli county magistrates since 1989

● Administrative division
 2 cities, 5 urban townships, 11 rural townships, including 1 Mountain Aborigines community (Ⓜ) and 2 Plains Aborigines communities (Ⓟ):

Please note that Toufen was an urban township (⒰ / zhen 鎮) before it was upgraded to city (shi 市) on Oct. 5, 2015.

Legislative representation

COMPOSITION OF ELECTORAL DISTRICTS FOR THE ROC LEGISLATIVE YUAN

LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATION SINCE 2008—(By-elections not included)

Additional information about Miaoli county

PROTECTED AREAS IN THE COUNTY—[part of] Shei-pa National Park 雪霸國家公園; Miaoli Sanyi Huoyanshan Nature Reserve 苗栗三義火炎山自然保留區; [part of] Syueba Nature Reserve 雪霸自然保護區; Guanwu Broad-tailed Swallowtail Major Habitat 觀霧寬尾鳳蝶野生動物重要棲息環境; Syueshankeng River Major Wildlife Habitat 雪山坑溪野生動物重要棲息環境

SELECTED SIGHTS—Hakka Round House 客家圓樓, Longteng Bridge 龍騰橋 aka Yutengping Broken Bridge 魚藤坪斷橋, Sanyi Wood Sculpture Museum 三義木雕博物館, Museum of Saisiat Folklore 賽夏族民俗文物館, Miaoli Pottery Museum 苗栗陶瓷博物館, Miaoli Railway Museum 苗栗鐵道文物展示館

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Changhua County

• Area and population
• County administration
• Legislative representation
• Additional information about Changhua county

✉ Changhua County Government 彰化縣 縣政府
No. 416 Jhongshan Road Sec. 2, Changhua City, Changhua County 50001, Taiwan ROC [50001 彰化縣彰化市中山路 2 段 416 號] ———————————— 🌏 Changhua County Government – Web link
Alternative logo

Notes
On May 13, 2022 the MOI expressed opposition to reconstituting Changhua County as a special municipality, in part due to the region's declining population—at the end of April 2022, the county's population had dropped to 1,248,262 persons, i. e. below the 1.25 million required by the current law for a region to be eligible for an upgrade.

In older sources, Changhua is often spelled "Changhwa".

Area and population

AREA—1,074.3960 km² (no indigenous communities). According to Google Earth, the county limits are located between latitude 23° 27' 36"–24° 06' 36" N and longitude 120° 08' 24"–120° 24' 36" E.

POPULATION DEVELOPMENT SINCE 1975—(figures for the end of the year)

County administration

● Changhua county magistrates since 1989

● Administrative division
 2 cites, 6 urban townships, 18 rural townships:

Please note that Yuanlin was an urban township (⒰ / zhen 鎮) before it was upgraded to city (shi 市) on Aug. 8, 2015.

Legislative representation

COMPOSITION OF ELECTORAL DISTRICTS FOR THE ROC LEGISLATIVE YUAN

LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATION SINCE 2008—(By-elections not included)

Additional information about Changhua county

PROTECTED AREAS IN THE COUNTY—[part of] Dadu Estuary Wildlife Refuge 大肚溪口野生動物保護區; [part of] Dadu Estuary Major Wildlife Habitat 大肚溪口野生動物重要棲息環境; [part of] Jhangyunjia Coastal Protection Area 彰雲嘉沿海保護區

SELECTED SIGHTS—Baozang Temple 寶藏寺, Changhua Confucius Temple 彰化孔子廟, Spring of Youth 彰化不老泉, Great Buddha of Baguashan 八卦山大佛, Lukang Longshan Temple 鹿港龍山寺, Lukang Tianhou Temple 鹿港天后宮, Lukang Wen Wu Temple 鹿港文武廟, Puyan Shunze Temple 埔鹽順澤宮

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Nantou County

• Area and population
• County administration
• Legislative representation
• Additional information about Nantou county

✉ Nantou County Government 南投縣 縣政府
No. 660 Jhongsing Road, Nantou City, Nantou County 54001, Taiwan ROC [54001 南投縣南投市中興路 660 號] ———————————— 🌏 Nantou County Government – Web link
Alternative logo

Area and population

AREA—4,106.4360 km², including 2,817.3200 km² indigenous communities (68.607 percent of Nantou County’s area). Click here to see a map showing the indigenous communities in the county highlighted with torquoise colour. According to Google Earth, the county limits are located between latitude 23° 15' 36"–24° 08' 24" N and longitude 120° 21' 36"–121° 12' 00" E. The Tropic of Cancer 北回歸線 (latitude 23° 26' 13.8" N) crosses Nantou County.

POPULATION DEVELOPMENT SINCE 1975—(figures for the end of the year)

Major indigenous peoples: Atayal, Bunun, Sediq, Thao, Tsou (see also The indigenous peoples in contemporary Taiwan)

County administration

● Nantou county magistrates since 1989

Note: Lee Chao-ching was detained on bribery charges by order of the Nantou District Court and suspended from office on Nov. 30, 2012. He was released and formally indicted on March 26, 2013. His bid for reinstatement was rejected by the MOI on April 1, 2013. The Nantou District Court sentenced Lee to 30 years in prison on Aug. 31, 2015, the Taiwan High Court Taichung Branch Court reduced the sentence to 22 years on June 14, 2017. The ROC Supreme Court on Oct. 18, 2018 upheld the guilty verdict against Lee in a final ruling.

● Administrative division
 1 city, 4 urban townships, 8 rural townships, including 2 Mountain Aborigines communities (Ⓜ) and 1 Plains Aborigines community (Ⓟ):

Legislative representation

COMPOSITION OF ELECTORAL DISTRICTS FOR THE ROC LEGISLATIVE YUAN

LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATION SINCE 2008—(By-elections not included)

Additional information about Nantou county

PROTECTED AREAS IN THE COUNTY—[part of] Yushan National Park 玉山國家公園; [part of] Taroko National Park 太魯閣國家公園; [part of] Mt. Chiu-chiu Nature Reserve 九九峰自然保留區; [part of] Danda Major Wildlife Habitat 丹大野生動物重要棲息環境; Rueiyan River Major Wildlife Habitat 瑞岩溪野生動物重要棲息環境

SELECTED SIGHTS—Sun Moon Lake 日月潭, Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village 九族文化村, Geographic Center of Taiwan 台灣地理中心碑, Paper Dome 紙教堂, Chung Tai Chan Monastery 中台禪寺, Wushe Incident Memorial Park 霧社事件紀念公園, Cingjing Farm 清境農場, Fonghuanggu Bird and Ecology Park 鳳凰谷鳥園生態園區, Xitou Forest Recreation Area 溪頭森林遊樂區/Xitou Nature Education Area 溪頭自然教育園區, Hehuan Mountain Dark Sky Park 合歡山暗空公園

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Yunlin County

• Area and population
• County administration
• Legislative representation
• Additional information about Yunlin county

✉ Yunlin County Government 雲林縣 縣政府
No. 515 Yunlin Road Sec. 2, Douliou City, Yunlin County 64001, Taiwan ROC [64001 雲林縣斗六市雲林路 2 段 515 號] ———————————— 🌏 Yunlin County Government – Web link
Alternative logo

Area and population

AREA—1,290.8326 km² (no indigenous communities). According to Google Earth, the county limits are located between latitude 23° 18' 00"–23° 30' 30" N and longitude 120° 04' 48"–120° 26' 24" E.

POPULATION DEVELOPMENT SINCE 1975—(figures for the end of the year)

County administration

● Yunlin county magistrates since 1989

Note: Chang Jung-wei was sentenced by the Yunlin District Court on Oct. 28, 2005 to 14 years imprisonment for graft in connection with an incinerator project in Linnei Township. He was found not guilty in a second trial, a ruling that was later reversed. The corruption case kept the Taiwan High Court Tainan Branch and the ROC Supreme Court busy for years, but on July 4, 2018 the Supreme Court eventually rejected an appeal by Chang and sentenced him to 8 years imprisonment in a final verdict.

Su Chih-fen was detained and questioned on Nov. 4, 2008 on corruption charges in connection with a landfill construction project and indicted on Nov. 14, 2008. The Yunlin District Court acquitted her on April 29, 2011, a verdict upheld by the Taiwan High Court Tainan Branch on Aug. 31, 2012. The ROC Supreme Court remanded a prosecutorial appeal and closed the case on Jan. 10, 2013.

● Administrative division
 1 city, 5 urban townships, 14 rural townships:

Legislative representation

COMPOSITION OF ELECTORAL DISTRICTS FOR THE ROC LEGISLATIVE YUAN

LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATION SINCE 2008—(By-elections not included)

Additional information about Yunlin county

PROTECTED AREAS IN THE COUNTY—Yunlin Huben Fairy Pitta Wildlife Habitat 雲林湖本八色鳥野生動物重要棲息環境; [part of] Jhangyunjia Coastal Protection Area 彰雲嘉沿海保護區

SELECTED SIGHTS—Caoling 草嶺, Chaotian Temple 北港朝天宫, Penglai Waterfall 蓬萊瀑布, Yunlin Story House 雲林故事館, Yunlin Hand Puppet Museum 雲林布袋戲館

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Chiayi County

• Area and population
• County administration
• Legislative representation
• Additional information about Chiayi county

✉ Chiayi County Government 嘉義縣 縣政府
No. 1 Sianghe 1st Road, East Section, Sianghe Sincun, Taibao City, Chiayi County 61249, Taiwan ROC [61249 嘉義縣太保市祥和新村祥和一路東段 1 號] ———————————— 🌏 Chiayi County Government – Web link

(Jump to Chiayi City)

Area and population

AREA—1,903.6367 km², including 427.8471 km² indigenous communities (22.475 percent of Chiayi County’s area). Click here to see a map showing the indigenous communities in the county highlighted with torquoise colour. According to Google Earth, the county limits are located between latitude 23° 07' 12"–23° 22' 12" N and longitude 120° 04' 12"–120° 34' 12" E. The Tropic of Cancer 北回歸線 (latitude 23° 26' 13.8" N) crosses Chiayi County.

POPULATION DEVELOPMENT SINCE 1975—(figures for the end of the year)

Please note that before July 1, 1982 Chiayi county included Chiayi city, therefore separate figures for Chiayi county and Chiayi city are available beginning 1982 only. (See additional remarks below.)

Major indigenous peoples: Tsou (see also The indigenous peoples in contemporary Taiwan)

County administration

● Chiayi county magistrates since 1989

● Administrative division
 2 cities, 2 urban townships, 14 rural townships, including 1 Mountain Aborigines community (Ⓜ):

Legislative representation

COMPOSITION OF ELECTORAL DISTRICTS FOR THE ROC LEGISLATIVE YUAN

LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATION SINCE 2008—(By-elections not included)

Additional information about Chiayi county

PROTECTED AREAS IN THE COUNTY—[part of] Yushan National Park 玉山國家公園; Alishan Taiwan Pleione Nature Reserve 阿里山台灣一葉蘭自然保留區; Lulinshan Major Wildlife Habitat 鹿林山野生動物重要棲息環境; Tashan Major Wildlife Habitat 塔山野生動物重要棲息環境; Aogu Major Wildlife Habitat 鰲鼓野生動物重要棲息環境; [part of] Jhangyunjia Coastal Protection Area 彰雲嘉沿海保護區; Haomeiliao Coastal Protection Area 好美寮沿海保護區

SELECTED SIGHTS—Alishan 阿里山, Siraya National Scenic Area 西拉雅國家風景區, Tropic of Cancer Monument 嘉義北回歸線標誌, National Palace Museum Southern Branch 國立故宮博物院南部分院, Ping Huang Coffee Museum 品皇咖啡博物館

SPECIAL PROJECT—On Aug. 13, 2022 the government-run Asia UAV AI Innovation Application R&D Center (Yazhou wurenji AI chuangxin yingyong yanfa zhongxin 亞洲無人機AI創新應用研發中心, abbrev. yachuang zhongxin 亞創中心) was opened by ROC President Tsai Ing-wen in Chiayi county’s Puzi City, with the Civil Aeronautics Administration under MOTC and the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) providing assistance and cooperation.

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Pingtung County

• Area and population
• County administration
• Legislative representation
• Additional information about Pingtung county

✉ Pingtung County Government 屏東縣 縣政府
No. 527 Tzu-yu Road, Pingtung City, Pingtung County 90001, Taiwan ROC [90001 屏東縣屏東市自由路 527 號] ———————————— 🌏 Pingtung County Government – Web link

Area and population

AREA—2,775.6003 km², including 1,625.3362 km² indigenous communities (58.558 percent of Pingtung County’s area). Click here to see a map showing the indigenous communities in the county highlighted with torquoise colour. According to Google Earth, the county limits are located between latitude 21° 31' 48"–22° 31' 12" N and longitude 120° 12' 36"–120° 32' 24" E.

POPULATION DEVELOPMENT SINCE 1975—(figures for the end of the year)

Major indigenous peoples: Amis, Paiwan, Rukai (see also The indigenous peoples in contemporary Taiwan)

County administration

● Pingtung county magistrates since 1989

● Administrative division
 1 city, 3 urban townships, 29 rural townships, including 8 Mountain Aborigines communities (Ⓜ) and 1 Plains Aborigines community (Ⓟ):

Legislative representation

COMPOSITION OF ELECTORAL DISTRICTS FOR THE ROC LEGISLATIVE YUAN

On Jan. 11, 2019 the CEC announced a redrawing of legislative districts, cutting one seat from Pingtung county. An overview of changed electoral districts is shown below:

LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATION SINCE 2008—(By-elections not included)

Additional information about Pingtung county

PROTECTED AREAS IN THE COUNTY—Kenting National Park 墾丁國家公園; Kenting Barrier Reefs Mountain Nature Reserve 墾丁高位珊瑚礁自然保留區; Xuhai Guanyinbi Nature Reserve 旭海觀音鼻自然保留區; Jinshueiying Major Wildlife Habitat 浸水營野生動物重要棲息環境; Chachayalaishan Major Wildlife Habitat 茶茶牙賴山野生動物重要棲息環境; [part of] Shuangguei Lake Major Wildlife Habitat 雙鬼湖野生動物重要棲息環境; Jianshan Coastal Protection Area 尖山沿海保護區; Kenting Coastal Protection Area 墾丁沿海保護區; Jioupeng Coastal Protection Area 九棚沿海保護區

SELECTED SIGHTS—Kenting National Park 墾丁國家公園, South Bay 南灣, Sandimen 三地門, Eluanbi Lighthouse 鵝鑾鼻燈塔 near the island's southernmost point, Wandan Mud Volcano 萬丹泥火山, Liudui Hakka Cultural Park 六堆客家文化園區, Neipu Tianhou Temple 內埔鄉天后宮, National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium 國立海洋生物博物館

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Yilan County

• Area and population
• County administration
• Legislative representation
• Additional information about Yilan county
• Disputed outpost

✉ Yilan County Government 宜蘭縣 縣政府
No. 1 Sianjheng North Road, Yilan City, Yilan County 26060, Taiwan ROC [26060 宜蘭縣宜蘭市凱旋里三鄰縣政北路 1 號] ———————————— 🌏 Yilan County Government – Web link

Note: In older sources, Yilan is often spelled "Ilan". Details about the Diaoyutai Islands 釣魚臺列嶼 can be found here.

Area and population

AREA—2,143.6251 km², including 1,398.1962 km² indigenous communities (65.225 percent of Yilan County’s area). Click here to see a map showing the indigenous communities in the county highlighted with torquoise colour. According to Google Earth, the county limits are located between latitude 24° 10' 48"–24° 35' 24" N and longitude 121° 11' 24"–121° 34' 48" E.

POPULATION DEVELOPMENT SINCE 1975—(figures for the end of the year)

Major indigenous peoples: Atayal, Kavalan (see also The indigenous peoples in contemporary Taiwan)

County administration

● Yilan county magistrates since 1989

● Administrative division
 1 city, 3 urban townships, 8 rural townships, including 2 Mountain Aborigines communities (Ⓜ):

Legislative representation

ELECTORAL DISTRICTS FOR THE ROC LEGISLATIVE YUAN—Since 2008 Yilan County as a whole has been represented in the ROC Legislative Yuan by one electoral district only. The table below shows the legislative representation since 2008 (By-elections not included).

Additional information about Yilan county

PROTECTED AREAS IN THE COUNTY—[part of] Hapen Nature Reserve 哈盆自然保留區; [part of] Yuanyang Lake Nature Reserve 鴛鴦湖自然保留區; Nanao Broad-leaved Forest Nature Reserve 南澳闊葉樹林自然保留區; Wushihbi Coastal Nature Reserve 烏石鼻海岸自然保留區; Yilan County Wuweigang Waterbird Refuge 宜蘭縣無尾港水鳥保護區; Lanyang Estuary Waterbird Refuge 蘭陽溪口水鳥保護區; Shuanglianpi Wildlife Refuge 雙連埤野生動物保護區; Lanyang Estuary Major Wildlife Habitat 蘭陽溪口野生動物重要棲息環境; Wuweigang Major Wildlife Habitat 無尾港野生動物重要棲息環境; [part of] Cilan (or Chilan) Major Wildlife Habitat 棲蘭野生動物重要棲息環境; Guanyin Coast Major Wildlife Habitat 觀音海岸野生動物重要棲息環境; Shuanglianpi Major Wildlife Habitat 雙連埤野生動物重要棲息環境; [part of] Northeast Coastal Protection Area 東北角沿海保護區; Lanyang Coastal Protection Area 蘭陽海岸保護區; [part of] Suhua Coastal Protection Area 蘇花海岸保護區

SELECTED SIGHTS—Chiaohsi Hot Springs 礁溪溫泉, Luodong Night Market 羅東夜市, Taiping Mountain Forest Amusement Park 太平山國家森林遊樂區, Guishan Island 龜山島, National Center of Traditional Arts 國立傳統藝術中心, Lanyang Museum 蘭陽博物館

Disputed outpost

The ROC also claims sovereignty over the uninhabited Diaoyutai Islands (Diaoyutai lieyu 釣魚臺列嶼) in the East China Sea (donghai 東海) and lists them under Tahsi Village (Daxi li 大溪里) in Yilan County's Toucheng Township with the postal area code 290.

In fact, the Diaoyutais and the surrounding waters are controlled by Japan which calls the archipelago "Senkaku Islands" (Jian'ge zhudao 尖閣諸島, "Senkaku Shotō" in Japanese), and today the islands are formally administrated as part of Ishigaki City (Shiyuan shi 石垣市 Ishigaki Shi) under Okinawa Prefecture (Chongsheng xian 沖繩縣 / Okinawa Ken 沖縄県). Between 1900 and 1940 the main island was inhabited by Japanese residents when a bonito fish processing plant there employed some 200 workers. The islands are also claimed by the PRC which calls them "Diaoyu Islands" (Diaoyu lieyu 釣魚列嶼), and in English the Diaoyutais are sometimes referred to as "Pinnacle Islands".

The Diaoyutai Islands are located on the continental shelf of the East China Sea in the northbound part of the Kuroshio Current (heichao 黑潮) and separated from Japan's Ryukyu Islands (Liuqiu liedao 琉球列島Ryūkyū Rettō) by the Okinawa Trough (Zhong Liu jiegou 中琉界溝 / Zhong Sheng haicao 中繩海槽 in Chinese, Okinawa torafu 沖縄トラフ in Japanese) with a depth of up to 2,717 meters.

The archipelago consists of eight islets (listed below) between latitude 25° 43' 13" N and 25° 55' 41" N, longitude 123° 27' 31" E and 124° 33' 38" E. Its westernmost island is Diaoyutai, distances from there to to easternmost Chiwei is 108.37 km and to northernmost Huangwei 27.02 km (source for all distances in this paragraph: Google Earth).

The following two maps show the Diaoyutai archipelago on the left and the main island (Diaoyutai Island) on the right.

The map below presents the constellation of islands in the East China Sea.

In addition to the Diaoyutai Islands, the map directly above also shows several (undisputed) Japanese island groups located off Taiwan's east coast, including the following from west to east:

• Yaeyama Islands (Bazhongshan liedao 八重山列島 Yaeyama Rettō)—consisting of Yonaguni (Yunaguo dao 與那國島 / Yonaguni Jima 与那国島) [❶], Iriomote (Xibiaodao 西表島 Iriomote Jima) [❷], Kohama Island (Xiaobindao 小濱島 / Kohama Jima 小浜島), Ishigaki (Shiyuandao 石垣島 Ishigaki Jima) [❸] and others;
• Miyako Islands (Gonggu liedao 宮古列島 Miyako Rettō)—consisting of Tarama Island (Duoliangjian dao 多良間島 Tarama Jima) [❹], Miyako Island (Gonggudao 宮古島 Miyako Jima) [❺], Irabu Island (Yiliangbu dao 伊良部島 Irabu Jima), Shimoji Island (Xiadidao 下地島 Shimoji Jima), Kurima Island (Laijiandao 來間島 / Kurima Jima 来間島) and others; and
• Okinawa (Chongsheng 沖繩 / Okinawa 沖縄) [❻].

The Yaeyama Islands, the Miyako Islands, Okinawa and other archipelagos are part of a longer island chain comprising the Ryukyu Islands.

Distances from Diaoyutai Island to selected Japanese places

Distances from Diaoyutai Island to selected ROC-controlled places

Please note that the distance from Yonaguni to Taiwan's Guishan Island is 107.22 km, to Beifang'ao 北方澳 (Suao Township, Yilan County) on Taiwan proper 107.61 km. Above mentioned reference point Cape San Diego aka Cape Santiago (sandiaojiao 三貂角) is located in Gongliao District, New Taipei City.

HISTORIC DEVELOPMENT—Japan made its first official move to claim the Diaoyutai Islands on Jan. 14, 1895 during the First Chinese-Japanese War when the Japanese cabinet passed a resolution to annex Uotsuri-shima and Kuba-shima, stating that the islands were "terra nullius" (nobody's land). However, the resolution was not made public at the time (declassified in 1952), and a physical marker was placed there only on May 10, 1969.

After WWII the Ryukyu island chain came under the control of the US which established the United States Military Government of the Ryukyu Islands (Liuqiu liedao Miguo junzhengfu 琉球列島米國軍政府 / Ryūkyū Rettō Beikoku Gunseifu 琉球列島米国軍政府) in Higashi 東村 (Okinawa) on April 5, 1945, replaced by the United States Civil Administration of the Ryukyu Islands (Liuqiu liedao Miguo minzhengfu 琉球列島米國民政府 / Ryūkyū Rettō Beikoku Minseifu 琉球列島米国民政府) on Dec. 15, 1950. By February 1946 the jurisdiction of the US military administration had been extended to include the Miyako Islands, the Yaeyama Islands, the Amami Islands (Yanmei qundao 奄美群島 Amami Guntō) and the Tokara Islands (Tugala liedao 吐噶喇列島 Tokara Rettō). On June 17, 1971 the US and Japan signed the Okinawa Reversion Agreement which was implemented on May 15, 1972, restoring full Japanese sovereignty over the Ryukyu Islands, including Okinawa Prefecture.

The Diaoyutais became a flashpoint of tension between Japan, China and Japan in the early 1970s. A geophysical survey was conducted in the East China Sea and the Yellow Sea (huanghai 黃海) between Oct. 12 and Nov. 29, 1968 aboard the "R/V F. V. Hunt". Joint participation of scientists from the ROC, the Republic of Korea, and Japan with US scientists was provided through the Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East (ECAFE) of the United Nations. The ECAFE report, titled "Economic Survey of Asia and the Far East 1969" / "Economic Bulletin for Asia and the Far East XX (1969/70)", was published on April 19, 1969 and indicated the possibility of large oil reserves in the area of the disputed archipelago, based on an elementary seismic reflection with a 30,000-joule sparker without test drilling. (ECAFE was renamed United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific—abbrev. UNESCAP—on Aug. 1, 1974.) The ROC government claimed the Diaoyutai Islands as ROC territory on April 20, 1971, the PRC government followed suit with its own claim on Dec. 30, 1971.

Since the 2000s there have been occasional confrontations in the waters surrounding the Diaoyutais when boats carrying nationalist activists from China, Hong Kong or Taiwan made symbolic attempts to land on Diaoyutai Island and were blocked by forces of Japan's coast guard. Some of the encounters involved boat collisions, the use of water cannons and arrests of activists by Japanese authorities. Besides PRC patrol vessels frequently entering disputed waters, PRC aircraft began intruding airspace over the Diaoyutais in 2012, latter incidents are usually answered by Japan's air force with the mobilization of fighter jets. The Japanese government on Sept. 11, 2012 formally purchased three islands belonging to the Diaoyutai Islands—Uotsuri-shima, Kitako-jima, and Minamiko-jima—for ¥ 2.05 billion (US$ 26.2 million) from their private owner, Kurihara Kunioki 栗原 國起 (b. 1942).

In Taiwan, support for claiming the disputed islands as belonging to Taiwan is widespread both in the KMT and in the DPP, and the ROC government has been reiterating its claim consistently. On the other hand, former ROC President Lee Teng-hui repeatedly voiced his private opinion after leaving office that the islands in question belong to Japan.

On Aug. 5, 2012 ROC President Ma Ying-jeou suggested the East China Sea Peace Initiative (donghai heping changyi 東海和平倡議, abbrev. ECSPI) with five points, calling on all parties to refrain from antagonistic actions, shelve controversies and not abandon dialogue, observe international law and resolve disputes through peaceful means, seek consensus on a code of conduct in the region, and establish a mechanism for cooperation on exploring and developing resources. This pragmatic approach was intended to reduce tensions by setting the unresolvable sovereignty issue aside, and it eventually led to the signing of the landmark Taiwan-Japan Fisheries Agreement (Tai Ri yuye xieyi 台日漁業協議) on April 10, 2013, safeguarding the fishing rights of Taiwanese vessels in the waters surrounding the Diaoyutai Islands.

After international media reported that the Ishigaki City Assembly (Shiyuan shi yihui 石垣市議會 / Ishigaki Shi Gikai 石垣市議会)—which in Japan has jurisdiction over the disputed islands—had proposed a bill to change the islands’ administrative name from “Tonoshiro” (Dengyecheng 登野城) to “Tonoshiro Senkaku” (Dengyecheng Jian’ge 登野城尖閣), the Yilan County Council (Yilan xian yiyhui 宜蘭縣議會) on June 11, 2020 approved a motion to change the official name of the disputed Diaoyutai Islands to “Toucheng Township Diaoyutai” (Toucheng Diaoyutai 頭城釣魚台) in preemptive retaliation. The Ishigaki City Council approved its own proposal on June 22, 2020. On July 2, 2020 the Taipei office of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association (JTEA) announced that despite the administrative name change Taiwanese fishers’ operations in the East China Sea were still protected under the Taiwan-Japan Fisheries Agreement and would remain the same. The Ishigaki City Government formally announced the name change on Oct. 1 that year.

WASHINGTON'S POSITION—The stance of the US government has been that it recognizes the Diaoyutai Islands being under the administration of Japan and therefore being protected under the US-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security which was signed on Jan. 19, 1960.

Background information pertaining to Japan's relations with Taiwan/the ROC can be found on the following pages of this website.

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Hualien County

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• County administration
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• Additional information about Hualien county

✉ Hualien County Government 花蓮縣 縣政府
No. 17 Fucian Road, Hualien City, Hualien County 97001, Taiwan ROC [97001 花蓮縣花蓮市府前路 17 號] ———————————— 🌏 Hualien County Government – Web link

Area and population

AREA—4,628.5714 km². Please note that all of Hualien County’s cities, urban townships and rural townships are designated as indigenous communities. Click here to see a map showing the indigenous communities in the county highlighted with torquoise colour. According to Google Earth, the county limits are located between latitude 23° 03' 00"–24° 12' 36" N and longitude 120° 35' 24"–121° 27' 36" E. The Tropic of Cancer 北回歸線 (latitude 23° 26' 13.8" N) crosses Hualien County.

POPULATION DEVELOPMENT SINCE 1975—(figures for the end of the year)

Major indigenous peoples: Amis, Atayal, Kavalan, Sakizaya, Sediq, Truku (see also The indigenous peoples in contemporary Taiwan)

County administration

● Hualien county magistrates since 1989

Note: The tenure of Fu Kun-chi as county magistrate was marred by scandals from the very beginning. Immediately after taking office on Dec. 20, 2009, Fu appointed Hsu Chen-wei 徐榛蔚 as deputy county magistrate—his ex-wife, with whom he had finalized divorce proceedings just two days earlier. The MOI quickly declared the appointment invalid on Dec. 22, 2009, and on April 29, 2011 the Hualien District Court sentenced Fu to 6 months in prison for fake divorce. (The couple reportedly restored normal marital relations by 2016.) Furthermore, an insider trading case kept Fu busy with the courts. The Taichung District Court found Fu guilty on Feb. 5, 2008 and imposed a prison term of 4½ years. Following an appeal, the Taiwan High Court Taichung Branch Court reduced the sentence to 3½ years in prison on June 18, 2010. After the Taiwan High Court in Taipei ordered a retrial, the Taiwan High Court Taichung Branch Court handed down a 9-month prison term on Sept. 26, 2013, but a subsequent appeal led to the ROC Supreme Court on July 17, 2014 returning the case to the Taiwan High Court for a second retrial. The Taiwan High Court sentenced Fu to eight months in prison on June 20, 2017, and the ROC Supreme Court confirmed that verdict on Sept. 12, 2018 in a final ruling, relieving him of his post. Fu started serving his term in Hualien Prison on Sept. 25, 2018 and was released on April 18, 2019. On Jan. 11, 2020 he won the election for Hualien County's seat in the ROC Legislative Yuan.

● Administrative division
 1 city, 2 urban townships, 10 rural townships, including 3 Mountain Aborigines communities (Ⓜ) and 10 Plains Aborigines communities (Ⓟ):

Legislative representation

ELECTORAL DISTRICTS FOR THE ROC LEGISLATIVE YUAN—Since 2008 Hualien County as a whole has been represented in the ROC Legislative Yuan by one electoral district only. The table below shows the legislative representation since 2008 (By-elections not included).

Additional information about Hualien county

PROTECTED AREAS IN THE COUNTY—[part of] Yushan National Park 玉山國家公園; [part of] Taroko National Park 太魯閣國家公園; Yuli Wildlife Refuge 玉里野生動物保護區; Yuli Major Wildlife Habitat 玉里野生動物重要棲息環境; [part of] Danda Major Wildlife Habitat 丹大野生動物重要棲息環境; [part of] Guanshan Major Wildlife Habitat 關山野生動物重要棲息環境; [part of] Coastal Mountain Range Major Wildlife Habitat 海岸山脈野生動物重要棲息環境; Shueilian Major Wildlife Habitat 水璉野生動物重要棲息環境; [part of] Suhua Coastal Protection Area 蘇花海岸保護區; [part of] Huadong Coastal Protection Area 花東沿海保護區

SELECTED SIGHTS—Taroko Gorge 太魯閣, Eternal Spring Shrine 長春祠, Hehuan Mountain 合歡山, Qingshui Cliff 清水斷崖, Tropic of Cancer Marker 北回歸線標誌公園, Hualien Martyr's Shrine 花蓮忠烈祠, Farglory Ocean Park 遠雄海洋公園, Hualien County Stone Sculptural Museum 花蓮縣石雕博物館

SEISMIC ACTIVITY—Hualien County can be considered Taiwan’s No. 1 earthquake hotspot—since WWII, no other county or city/special municipality in the ROC was hit by temblors more often. The table directly below is an excerpt of a list showing all major earthquakes in the Taiwan area since 1945.

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Taitung County

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