Under Chiang Kai-shek, a new Chinese national flag was adopted on Oct. 28, 1928, and it was carried to Taiwan in 1949-50 when the Nationalists fled the mainland. The three colors stand for the "Three Principles of the People" of the Nationalist (Kuomintang) Party-- nationalism, democracy, and socialism.

Taiwan Official name: Chung-hua Min-kuo (Republic of China). Form of government: multiparty republic with a National Assembly (334) and Legislative Yuan (225). Chief of state: President. Head of government: Premier. Population (1998): 21,843,000. Population projection: (2000) 22,250,000; (2010) 24,399,000. Natural increase rate per 1,000 population (1997): 8.6 (world avg. 15.7). Gross national product (1998): U.S.$297,953,000,000 (U.S.$13,900 per capita).

© 2001 by Merriam-Webster, Incorporated