- This historical republic should not be confused with the proposed nation-state, "Republic of Taiwan."
The Republic of Taiwan (traditional Chinese: 臺灣民主國; simplified Chinese: 台湾民主国; pinyin: Táiwān Mínzhǔguó; lit. "Democratic State of Taiwan"; official English name: Formosan Republic, Taiwan Republic; also called Republic of Formosa) was a short-lived republic that existed on the island of Taiwan in 1895, between the formal cession of Taiwan by the Qing Dynasty of China to the Empire of Japan by the Treaty of Shimonoseki and the arrival of Japanese troops and assumption of Japanese sovereignty. Though sometimes claimed by certain historians or politicians as the first Asian republic to have been proclaimed, it was predated by the Lanfang Republic, which had been established in 1777.
Painting of Japanese forces captured Taipei".
The republic was proclaimed by a group of pro-Qing high officials and members of the local gentry in order to, it was hoped, prevent Japanese acquisition of Taiwan which China had just ceded to Japan under the Treaty of Shimonoseki. Many of these officials fled the island upon Japan's invasion. On May 24, 1895 an English translation of its declaration of independence was sent to all the embassies on the island, followed by a ceremony the next day. It managed to issue stamps under the auspices of the republic. From the onset, the founders of the republic made it clear that their actions were out of loyalty to the Qing and declared themselves to be tributaries of the Qing state.
In spite of the similarity in name, modern-day proponents of a "Republic of Taiwan" (as part of the Taiwan independence movement) tend to disavow a connection between the two, thus neither claiming a revival of that entity nor regarding themselves as political offspring of that movement. The reason for this is that the first Republic of Taiwan was created as an act of loyalty to the government of Qing while modern supporters of the Republic of Taiwan tend to distance themselves from mainland China.
Declaration of Independence
The declaration, in its original form in formal Chinese, reads:
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日寇強橫，欲併台灣。台民曾派代表詣闕力爭，未蒙俞允。局勢危急，日寇將至。我如屈從，則家鄉將淪於夷狄；如予抗拒，則實力較弱，恐難持久。業與列國迭次磋商，儉謂台灣必先自立，始可予我援助。台灣同胞，誓不服倭，與其事敵，寧願戰死。爰經大會議決，台灣自立，改建民主國；官吏皆由民選，一切政務秉公處理。但為禦敵及推行新政，必須有一元首，俾便統率，以維持秩序而保安寧。巡撫承宣布政使唐景崧為萬民所敬仰，故由大會公推為台灣民主國總統……。 |
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which roughly translates as:
- "The Japanese are powerful, and intend to annex Taiwan. The representatives of the residents of Taiwan had pleaded to the (Qing) court, but were turned down. The situation is dire, as the Japanese are approaching. Should we capitulate, our home would fall to enemy hands; should we resist, our strength is weak and could not withstand such aggression. (We) have negotiated with several foreign powers, and concluded that Taiwan must become independent in order for aids to come. The people of Taiwan will never capitulate to Japan; (we) would fight to the death rather than serve the enemy. According to the decision of the assembly, Taiwan shall become independent, and established as a democratic republic. All government officials shall be chosen by the people, and all official affairs shall be carried out impartially. To defend the new state and enforce new policy, there shall be a president to coordinate and manage the resources to maintain order and secure peace. Governor Tang Ching-sung is admired and approved by the people, thus was elected by the assembly as the President of the Republic of Formosa..."
Presidents of the Taiwan Republic
See also
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