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Taiwan (Formosa)

FIRST STAMPS ISSUED August 1886.
FIRST STAMPS as Chinese province 4 November 1945.
FIRST STAMPS as Republic of China 1 December 1949.

CURRENCY
1946, 100 sen = 1 dollar.

Dutch and Spanish trading settlements and a Taiwan dynasty were short-lived and in 1683 the island became a province of Manchu China. In 1895 China ceded the island to Japan, whereupon the governor declared a republic. This lasted in the south of the island until 21 October. Formosa then formed part of the Japanese Empire until 1945, when on 25 October it was returned to Chinese rule.

As the last Nationalist stronghold it received Chiang Kai-shek and became the Republic of China, being recognized as such by the United Nations until 25 October 1971. When the UN recognized the People's Republic of China, Taiwan lost its status but remains precariously independent.

The first postal service was set up by the governor in 1886. Stamps of 'Black Flag Republic' August-September 1895. Used stamps of Japan 1895-1945. Used separate stamps (locally printed) in October 1945.