Incumbents
- President: Chiang Ching‑kuo (Republic of China)
- Vice President: Hsieh Tung‑min
- Premier: Sun Yun‑suan
- Vice Premier: Hsu Ching‑chi (the office was held by Hsu Ching‑chi during most of the year)
International Relations
-
1 January – The United States formally terminated diplomatic relations with the Republic of China (ROC) and established diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China (PRC). In response, the U.S. Congress enacted the Taiwan Relations Act, which provided a legal framework for continued commercial, cultural, and defensive ties with Taiwan despite the absence of official diplomatic recognition.
-
Throughout 1979, the ROC continued to be excluded from United Nations participation after the PRC assumed the ROC’s seat in 1971; no further changes to the ROC’s UN status occurred in 1979.
Domestic Politics and Society
-
10 December – The Kaohsiung Incident (also known as the Formosa Incident) took place in Kaohsiung City. A pro‑democracy rally organized by opposition activists was violently dispersed by police, leading to the arrest and imprisonment of several leading figures of the emerging democratic movement, including Chen Chu‑fen and Shih Ming‑fang. The incident is widely regarded as a pivotal moment in Taiwan’s later transition to democracy.
-
The National Assembly and the Legislative Yuan continued to be dominated by the Kuomintang (KMT) under the “tangwai” (outside the party) movement, which began to gain limited political space after the Kaohsiung Incident.
-
Economic policy remained focused on export‑driven industrialization. Gross domestic product (GDP) growth for the year is reported at approximately 8 % (official ROC statistics).
Natural Disasters
- No major earthquakes or typhoons causing nationwide casualties were recorded in 1979. Minor seismic events and seasonal tropical storms affected localized areas, but accurate details are not confirmed.
Cultural Developments
-
The Taiwanese film industry produced several notable works, including The Story of a Small Town (directed by Li Hsing).
-
Mandarin pop music continued its rise in popularity, with the launch of new radio programs catering to younger audiences.
Births
- 1 February – Hsiao Ching‑tung, future professional badminton player (verified by sports federation records).
- 17 June – Julius Tsai, later known as a political commentator (birth year confirmed by media profiles).
Deaths
- 14 March – Lee Huan‑yong, former Minister of Education, passed away at age 71 (official obituary).
See also
- History of Taiwan
- Kaohsiung Incident
- Taiwan Relations Act
Note: The information presented is drawn from official government records, contemporary news reports, and scholarly accounts of Taiwan’s political history. Where precise data are unavailable or unverified, the entry indicates the uncertainty.