January 1, 1912
The Republic of China is established.
October 1, 1949
The People's Republic of China is established.
December 9, 1949
ROC government moves from mainland to Taiwan.
August 22, 1954
Democratic groups in Mainland China publicly announce the "Joint Declaration for Liberating Taiwan," declaring that Taiwan is part of China's territory and that Chinese people must liberate Taiwan.
December 8, 1954
Zhou Enlai, PRC Minister of Foreign Affairs, issues a statement calling the US-ROC "Mutual Defense Treaty of Republic of China and the United States" a downright aggressive treaty of war.
July 30, 1955
Zhou Enlai, PRC Premier, presents a report to the second conference of the first National People's Congress, saying, "There are two possible ways for liberating Taiwan -- one is by war, and the other is by peaceful means. The Chinese people prefer using the peaceful means if the situation permits."
February 10, 1958
PRC Premier Zhou Enlai says at the fifth conference of the first National People's Congress that, "The U.S. government insists China recognize its control over Taiwan, which is linked to its conspiracy to create two Chinas."
September 6, 1958
PRC Premier Zhou Enlai makes a statement about the Taiwan Strait situation.
October 6, 1958
Peng Dehuai, PRC Minister of National Defense, publishes a "Message to Compatriots on Taiwan."
October 13, 1958
The PRC Ministry of National Defense issues an order that "the bombardment of Quemoy will cease for two more weeks."
October 20, 1958
The PRC Ministry of National Defense issues an order to renew the bombarding of Quemoy.
October 25, 1958
PRC Minister of National Defense Peng Dehuai issues "Another Message to Compatriots on Taiwan."
June 17, 1960
The Fujian commander of the PRC People's Liberation Army issues "Messages to Compatriots in Taiwan, Penghu, Quemoy, and Matzu."
December 21, 1964
In an administrative report at the first meeting of the third National People's Congress, PRC Premier Zhou Enlai condemns the United States for controlling Taiwan for a long period of time, thwarting of the resumption of the PRC's legal rights in the United Nations, and conspiring to create "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan."
August 20, 1971
The PRC Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues a statement regarding the proposition made by George Bush, U.S. representative to the United Nations, to put China's representation issue on the agenda of the 26th conference of the UN General Assembly. The statement says, "The Chinese people and the government of the People's Republic of China strongly oppose the absurd arguments such as 'two Chinas,' 'one China, one Taiwan,' strongly oppose the fallacy that 'Taiwan's status remains unsettled,' strongly oppose the conspiracy of 'Taiwan independence.'"
October 22, 1971
Xinhua News Agency publishes a commentary, saying, "Taiwan has traditionally been a sacred piece of the land of China."
February 27, 1972
The PRC and the US governments jointly announce "the Shanghai Communique."
January 4, 1973
PRC Premier Zhou Enlai meets at the People's Hall with seven Taiwan students who studied in the United States and discusses the Taiwan issue with them.
December 16, 1978
The PRC and the U.S. government sign the joint communique to officially recognize each other beginning January 1, 1979.
January 1, 1979
The National People's Congress Standing Committee issues a "Message to Compatriots on Taiwan."
January 30, 1979
While visiting in Washington, Deng Xiaoping reiterates that "China hopes to resolve the Taiwan issue by peaceful means."
April 4, 1979
ROC President Chiang Ching-kuo introduces "the three nos " policy.
April 2, 1981
The 12th Kuomintang National Party Congress adopts "the Proposition to Unify China under the Three Principles of the People."
September 30, 1981
NPC Standing Committee Chairman Ye Jianying issues "Elaborations on Policy Concerning Return of Taiwan to Motherland and Peaceful Unification," generally known as "Ye's nine-point policy."
October 7, 1981
The PRC's Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications adopts six measures as steps for the immediate opening of postal and telegram communications with Taiwan.
August 17, 1982
The PRC and the United States issue the "August 17 Communique."
June 26, 1983
Deng Xiaoping announces his new concept about the unification of the two sides of the Taiwan Straits by peaceful means, which becomes the so-called Deng's Six-point Proposal.
June 23, 1984
Deng Xiaoping introduces the concept of "one country, two systems."
October 16, 1987
The PRC State Council promulgates the "Measures Governing Taiwan Compatriots' Family Visits and Trips to the Mainland."
October 24, 1987
Bureau of Exit and Entry of the PRC's Ministry of Public Security completes the draft of "Six-article Measures Governing the Entry and Exit of Taiwan Compatriots."
November 2, 1987
Taiwan people are allowed to pay family visits to the mainland.
March 14, 1988
PRC prosecution and judicial branches announce they will "not prosecute illegal deeds committed by Taiwan people before the PRC was established."
July 7, 1988
PRC State Council issues "Regulations for Encouraging Investment by Taiwan People."
July 7, 1988
The KMT's 13th party congress adopts "the Mainland Policy at the Current Stage."
August 18, 1988
The Executive Yuan establishes the task force, Mainland Affairs Coordination Meeting, to coordinate government agencies in charge of matters related to Mainland China.
September 22, 1988
The China Council for the Promotion of Peaceful Reunification is set up in Beijing.
October 1988
The PRC's State Council establishes the Taiwan Affairs Office.
January 30, 1989
Ding Guangen, director of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, while discussing Taiwan affairs in a meeting with journalists, says Taiwan affairs shall be promoted through the following three ways: 1. Focus on economy and trade with Taiwan; 2. Improve arrangements for receiving compatriots from Taiwan; and 3. Promote academic, cultural, sports, and technological exchanges between the two sides of the strait.
June 10, 1989
Indirect telephone calls and telegram communications are liberalized. The handling process for postal communications is simplified.
June 27, 28, 1989
The Taiwan Affairs Offices under the PRC State Council and Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations and Trade announces that Beijing's Taiwan policy remains unchanged.
March 24, 1990
The Taiwan-Invested Enterprises Association is established in Beijing to be the first trade association of Taiwan businessmen in the mainland.
May 20, 1990
In his inaugural speech as the eighth ROC president, Lee Teng-hui says, "If mainland authorities can adopt democracy and a free market system, renounce the use of force in the Taiwan Strait, not interfere in our pursuit of foreign relations under the one-China premise, we will be willing to establish communication channels on equal footing to fully open up economic, academic, cultural, scientific, technological and other exchanges."
June 11, 1990
Making an important statement at the opening ceremony of the "National United Front Meeting," CPC General Secretary Jiang Zemin reiterates Beijing's position on the Taiwan issue. "As long as the two parties sit down, discuss reunification under the prerequisite of one-China, and not attempt to create 'two-Chinas', 'one China, one Taiwan', or 'one country, two governments', then all issues can be brought up for discussion and negotiations."
June 29, 1990
The ROC government convenes the "National Affairs Conference," in which participants call for "relaxation of functional exchanges and limitations on political negotiations." Members at the meeting propose the establishment of a special government unit and an authorized intermediary agency to handle cross-strait relations.
September 12, 1990
The Red Cross Societies representing the two sides of the Taiwan Straits sign the Kinmen Accord, the first agreement reached by private organizations. This agreement contains provisions for the repatriation of individuals, criminals, and suspects who illegally enter the territory of the other.
October 7, 1990
ROC President Lee Teng-hui convenes a meeting with representatives from major political parties and civil organizations to establish the National Unification Council under the Presidential Office and formulate the Guidelines for National Unification.