ABSTRACT
In recent years the Republic of China (ROC or Taiwan) has experienced an extraordinary metamorphosis. It has managed to transform itself from a backward, authoritarian state into a multiparty democracy and an economic powerhouse. But Taipei has also alarmed both Beijing and Washington by inching closer and closer to declaring itself independent of China—a move that could ignite a major conflict in East Asia. These fears escalated with the election of Chen Shui-bian, a former independence activist, as ROC president in March 2000 and again in the closely contested March 2004 presidential election.
