Chapter 102

International disputes: involved in complex dispute over the Spratly Islands with China, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei; Paracel Islands occupied by China, but claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan; Japanese-administered Senkaku-shoto (Senkaku Islands/Diaoyu Tai) claimed by China and Taiwan

Climate: tropical; marine; rainy season during southwest monsoon (June to August); cloudiness is persistent and extensive all year

Terrain: eastern two-thirds mostly rugged mountains; flat to gently rolling plains in west lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: Yu Shan 3,997 m

Natural resources: small deposits of coal, natural gas, limestone, marble, and asbestos

Land use: arable land: 24% permanent crops: 1% meadows and pastures: 5% forest and woodland: 55% other: 15%

Irrigated land: NA sq km

Environment: current issues: water pollution from industrial emissions, raw sewage; air pollution; contamination of drinking water supplies; trade in endangered species natural hazards: earthquakes and typhoons international agreements: signed, but not ratified - Marine Life Conservation

People ------

Population: 21,465,881 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 23% (male 2,605,495; female 2,436,864) 15-64 years: 69% (male 7,505,344; female 7,252,188) 65 years and over: 8% (male 907,310; female 758,680) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 0.89% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 15.01 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 5.52 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: -0.61 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio: at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.2 male(s)/female all ages: 1.06 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 7 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.02 years male: 73.43 years female: 78.82 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 1.76 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality: noun: Chinese (singular and plural) adjective: Chinese

Ethnic divisions: Taiwanese 84%, mainland Chinese 14%, aborigine 2%

Religions: mixture of Buddhist, Confucian, and Taoist 93%, Christian 4.5%, other 2.5%

Languages: Mandarin Chinese (official), Taiwanese (Min), Hakka dialects

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.) total population: 86% male: 93% female: 79%

Government ----------

Name of country: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Taiwan local long form: none local short form: T'ai-wan

Data code: TW

Type of government: multiparty democratic regime; opposition political parties legalized in March 1989

Capital: Taipei

Administrative divisions: some of the ruling party in Taipei claim to be the government of all China; in keeping with that claim, the central administrative divisions include 2 provinces (sheng, singular and plural) and 2 municipalities* (shih, singular and plural) - Fu-chien (some 20 offshore islands of Fujian Province including Quemoy and Matsu), Kao-hsiung*, T'ai-pei*, and Taiwan (the island of Taiwan and the Pescadores islands); note - the more commonly referenced administrative divisions are those of Taiwan Province - 16 counties (hsien, singular and plural), 5 municipalities* (shih, singular and plural), and 2 special municipalities** (chuan-shih, singular and plural); Chang-hua, Chia-i, Chia-i*, Chi-lung*, Hsin-chu, Hsin-chu*, Hua-lien, I-lan, Kao-hsiung, Kao-hsiung**, Miao-li, Nan-t'ou, P'eng-hu, P'ing-tung, T'ai-chung, T'ai-chung*, T'ai-nan, T'ai-nan*, T'ai-pei, T'ai-pei**, T'ai-tung, T'ao-yuan, and Yun-lin; the provincial capital is at Chung-hsing-hsin-ts'un note: Taiwan uses the Wade-Giles system for romanization

National holiday: National Day, 10 October (1911) (Anniversary of the Revolution)

Constitution: 1 January 1947, amended in 1992, presently undergoing revision

Legal system: based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal

Executive branch: chief of state: President LI Teng-hui (succeeded to the presidency following the death of President CHIANG Ching-kuo 13 January 1988, elected by the National Assembly 21 March 1990, reelected by popular vote in the first-ever direct elections for president 23 March 1996); election last held 23 March 1996 (next to be held NA 2000); results - LI Teng-hui 54%, PENG Ming-min 21%, LIN Yang-kang 15%, and CHEN Li-an 10%; Vice President-elect LIEN Chan (to be inaugurated 20 May 1996) head of government: Premier (President of the Executive Yuan) LIEN Chan (since 23 February 1993) and Vice Premier (Vice President of the Executive Yuan) HSU Li-teh (since 23 February 1993) were appointed by the president; note - LIEN Chan will continue to serve as premier until 20 May 1996 when he will be inaugurated as vice president; a new premier is expected to be appointed sometime in May 1996 cabinet: Executive Yuan was appointed by the president

Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Yuan and unicameral National Assembly Legislative Yuan: elections last held 2 December 1995 (next to be held NA December 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (164 total) KMT 85, DPP 54, CNP 21, independents 4; note - since the election, there has been a change in the distribution of seats - KMT 83, DPP 54, CNP 21, independents 6 National Assembly: elections last held 23 March 1996 (next to be held NA 2000); results - KMT 55%, DPP 30%, CNP 14%, other 1%; seats - (334 total) KMT 183, DPP 99, CNP 46, other 6

Judicial branch: Judicial Yuan, justices nominated and appointed for nine-year terms by the president

Political parties and leaders: Kuomintang (KMT, Nationalist Party), LI Teng-hui, chairman; Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), leader NA; Chinese New Party (CNP), leader NA; Labor Party (LP), leader NA

Other political or pressure groups: Taiwan independence movement, various environmental groups note: debate on Taiwan independence has become acceptable within the mainstream of domestic politics on Taiwan; political liberalization and the increased representation of the opposition Democratic Progressive Party in Taiwan's legislature have opened public debate on the island's national identity; advocates of Taiwan independence, both within the DPP and the ruling Kuomintang, oppose the ruling party's traditional stand that the island will eventually unify with mainland China; the aims of the Taiwan independence movement include establishing a sovereign nation on Taiwan and entering the UN; other organizations supporting Taiwan independence include the World United Formosans for Independence and the Organization for Taiwan Nation Building

International organization participation: APEC, AsDB, BCIE, ICC, IOC, WCL, WTrO (applicant)

Diplomatic representation in US: none; unofficial commercial and cultural relations with the people of the US are maintained through a private instrumentality, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) with headquarters in Taipei and field offices in Washington and 10 other US cities

US diplomatic representation: none; unofficial commercial and cultural relations with the people of Taiwan are maintained through a private institution, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), which has offices in Taipei at #7, Lane 134, Hsin Yi Road, Section 3, telephone [886] (2) 709-2000, FAX [886] (2) 702-7675, and in Kao-hsiung at #2 Chung Cheng 3d Road, telephone [886] (7) 224-0154 through 0157, FAX [886] (7) 223-8237, and the American Trade Center at Room 3207 International Trade Building, Taipei World Trade Center, 333 Keelung Road Section 1, Taipei 10548, telephone [886] (2) 720-1550

Flag: red with a dark blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a white sun with 12 triangular rays

Economy -------

Economic overview: Taiwan has a dynamic capitalist economy with considerable government guidance of investment and foreign trade and partial government ownership of some large banks and industrial firms. Real growth in GDP has averaged about 9% a year during the past three decades. Export growth has been even faster and has provided the impetus for industrialization. Inflation and unemployment are low. Agriculture contributes about 4% to GDP, down from 35% in 1952. Taiwan currently ranks as number 13 among major trading countries. Traditional labor-intensive industries are steadily being replaced with more capital- and technology-intensive industries. Taiwan has become a major investor in China, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Vietnam. The tightening of labor markets has led to an influx of foreign workers, both legal and illegal.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $290.5 billion (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 6% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $13,510 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 3.6% industry: 37.3% services: 59.1% (1994 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4% (1995 est.)

Labor force: 8.874 million by occupation: services 49%, industry 39%, agriculture 11% (1993 est.)

Unemployment rate: 1.6% (1995)

Budget: revenues: $30.3 billion expenditures: $30.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1991 est.)

Industries: electronics, textiles, chemicals, clothing, food processing, plywood, sugar milling, cement, shipbuilding, petroleum refining

Industrial production growth rate: 4.5% (1994 est.)

Electricity: capacity: 21,460,000 kW production: 108 billion kWh consumption per capita: 4,789 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: rice, wheat, corn, soybeans, vegetables, fruit, tea; pigs, poultry, beef, milk; fish catch increasing, reached 1.4 million metric tons in 1988

Illicit drugs: an important heroin transit point; also a drug money laundering center

Exports: $93 billion (f.o.b., 1994) commodities: electrical machinery 19.7%, electronic products 19.6%, textiles 10.9%, footwear 3.3%, foodstuffs 1.0%, plywood and wood products 0.9% (1993 est.) partners: US 27.6%, Hong Kong 21.7%, EU countries 15.2%, Japan 10.5% (1994 est.)

Imports: $85.1 billion (c.i.f., 1994) commodities: machinery and equipment 15.7%, electronic products 15.6%, chemicals 9.8%, iron and steel 8.5%, crude oil 3.9%, foodstuffs 2.1% (1993 est.) partners: Japan 30.1%, US 21.7%, EU countries 17.6% (1993 est.)

External debt: $620 million (1992 est.)

Economic aid: $NA

Currency: 1 New Taiwan dollar (NT$) = 100 cents

Exchange rates: New Taiwan dollars per US$1 - 27.4 (1995), 26.2 (1994), 26.6 (1993), 25.4 (1992), 25.748 (1991)

Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June

Transportation --------------

Railways: total: 4,600 km; note - 1,075 km in common carrier service and about 3,525 km is dedicated to industrial use narrow gauge: 4,600 km 1.067-m

Highways: total: 19,860 km paved: 17,119 km (including 382 km of expressways) unpaved: 2,741 km (1990 est.)

Pipelines: petroleum products 615 km; natural gas 97 km

Ports: Chi-lung (Keelung), Hua-lien, Kao-hsiung, Su-ao, T'ai-chung

Merchant marine: total: 198 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,812,534 GRT/8,885,092 DWT ships by type: bulk 50, cargo 29, combination bulk 3, combination ore/oil 1, container 83, oil tanker 19, refrigerated cargo 11, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2 (1995 est.)

Airports: total: 38 with paved runways over 3 047 m: 8 with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 12 with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 4 with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 6 with paved runways under 914 m: 7 with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1 (1995 est.)

Heliports: 1 (1995 est.)

Communications --------------

Telephones: 10,253,773 (1993 est.)

Telephone system: best developed system in Asia outside of Japan domestic: extensive microwave radio relay trunk system on east and west coasts international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Pacific Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean); submarine cables to Japan (Okinawa), Philippines, Guam, Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Australia, Middle East, and Western Europe

Radio broadcast stations: AM 91, FM 23, shortwave 0

Radios: 8.62 million

Television broadcast stations: 15 (repeaters 13)

Televisions: 6.66 million (1993 est.)

Defense -------

Branches: Army, Navy (includes Marines), Air Force, Coastal Patrol and Defense Command, Armed Forces Reserve Command, Combined Service Forces

Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 6,278,159 males fit for military service: 4,849,057 males reach military age (19) annually: 204,313 (1996 est.)

Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $11.5 billion, 3.6% of GDP (FY96/97)

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@Tajikistan ----------

Tajikistan has experienced three changes of government since it gained independence in September 1991. The current president, Emomali RAHMONOV, was elected in November 1994, yet has been in power since 1992. The country is suffering through its third year of a civil conflict, with no clear end in sight. Underlying the conflict are deeply rooted regional and clan-based animosities that pit a government consisting of people primarily from the Kulob (Kulyab), Khujand (Leninabad), and Hisor (Hissar) regions against a secular and Islamic-led opposition from the Gharm, Gorno-Badakhshan, and Qurghonteppa (Kurgan-Tyube) regions. Government and opposition representatives have held periodic rounds of UN-mediated peace talks and agreed in September 1994 to a cease-fire which has been periodically extended. Russian-led peacekeeping troops are deployed throughout the country, and Russian-commanded border guards are stationed along the Tajik-Afghan border.

Map ---

Location: 39 00 N, 71 00 E -- Central Asia, west of China

Flag ----

Description: three horizontal stripes of red (top), a wider stripe of white, and green; a gold crown surmounted by seven five-pointed gold stars is located in the center of the white stripe

Geography ---------

Location: Central Asia, west of China

Geographic coordinates: 39 00 N, 71 00 E

Map references: Commonwealth of Independent States

Area: total area: 143,100 sq km land area: 142,700 sq km comparative area: slightly smaller than Wisconsin

Land boundaries: total: 3,651 km border countries: Afghanistan 1,206 km, China 414 km, Kyrgyzstan 870 km, Uzbekistan 1,161 km

Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims: none (landlocked)

International disputes: boundary with China in dispute; territorial dispute with Kyrgyzstan on northern boundary in Isfara Valley area; Afghanistan's and other foreign support to Islamic fighters in Tajikistan's civil war based in northern Afghanistan

Climate: midlatitude continental, hot summers, mild winters; semiarid to polar in Pamir Mountains

Terrain: Pamir and Altai Mountains dominate landscape; western Fergana Valley in north, Kofarnihon and Vakhsh Valleys in southwest lowest point: Syrdariya 300 m highest point: Qullai Kommunizm 7,495 m

Natural resources: significant hydropower potential, some petroleum, uranium, mercury, brown coal, lead, zinc, antimony, tungsten

Land use: arable land: 6% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 23% forest and woodland: 0% other: 71%

Irrigated land: 6,940 sq km (1990)

Environment: current issues: inadequate sanitation facilities; increasing levels of soil salinity; industrial pollution; excessive pesticides; part of the basin of the shrinking Aral Sea suffers from severe overutilization of available water for irrigation and associated pollution natural hazards: NA international agreements: NA

Geographic note: landlocked

People ------

Population: 5,916,373 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 43% (male 1,282,846; female 1,258,302) 15-64 years: 53% (male 1,546,264; female 1,566,365) 65 years and over: 4% (male 110,705; female 151,891) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 1.54% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 33.78 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 8.43 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: -9.93 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female all ages: 0.99 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 113.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 64.45 years male: 60.84 years female: 68.24 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 4.38 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality: noun: Tajik(s) adjective: Tajik

Ethnic divisions: Tajik 64.9%, Uzbek 25%, Russian 3.5% (declining because of emigration), other 6.6%

Religions: Sunni Muslim 80%, Shi'a Muslim 5%

Languages: Tajik (official), Russian widely used in government and business

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1989 est.) total population: 98% male: 99% female: 97%

Government ----------

Name of country: conventional long form: Republic of Tajikistan conventional short form: Tajikistan local long form: Jumhurii Tojikistan local short form: none former: Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic

Data code: TI

Type of government: republic

Capital: Dushanbe

Administrative divisions: 2 oblasts (viloyatho, singular - viloyat) and one autonomous oblast* (viloyati avtonomii); Viloyati Avtonomii Badakhshoni Kuni* (Khorugh - formerly Khorog), Viloyati Khatlon (Qurghonteppa - formerly Kurgan-Tyube), Viloyati Leninobod (Khujand - formerly Leninabad) note: the administrative center names are in parentheses

Independence: 9 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)

National holiday: National Day, 9 September (1991)

Constitution: new constitution adopted 6 November 1994

Legal system: based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative acts

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch: chief of state: President Emomali RAHMONOV (since 6 November 1994; was Head of State and Assembly Chairman since NA November 1992) was elected for a five-year term by universal suffrage; election last held 6 November 1994 (next to be held NA 1999); results - Emomali RAHMONOV 58%, Abdumalik ABDULLAJANOV 40% head of government: Prime Minister Yahyo AZIMOV (since 8 February 1996) was appointed by the president cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president who proposes them to the Supreme Assembly for approval

Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Majlisi Oli): elections last held 26 February and 12 March 1995 (next to be held NA 2000); results - percent of vote by party NA; estimated seats - (181 total) Communist Party and affiliates 100, People's Party 10, Party of People's Unity 6, Party of Economic and Political Renewal 1, other 64

Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are appointed by the president

Political parties and leaders: People's Party of Tajikistan, Abdumajid DOSTIYEV; Party of People's Unity, Abdumalik ABDULLOJONOR; Tajik Communist Party, Shodi SHABDOLOV; Democratic Party, Jumaboy NIYAZOV, chairman; Islamic Renaissance Party (IRP), Mohammed Sharif HIMMATZODA, chairman; Rebirth (Rastokhez), Takhir ABDUZHABOROV; Lali Badakhshan Society, Atobek AMIRBEK; Tajikistan Party of Economic and Political Renewal (TPEPR); Citizenship, Patriotism, Unity Party, Bobokhon MAHMADOV; Adolatho "Justices" Party, Abdurahmon KARIMOV, chairman

Other political or pressure groups: Tajikistan Opposition Movement based in northern Afghanistan, Seyed Abdullah NURI, chairman

International organization participation: CIS, EBRD, ECE, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), IOC, IOM, ITU, NACC, OIC, OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer)

Diplomatic representation in US: Tajikistan does not have an embassy in the US, but has a mission at the UN: address - 136 East 67th Street, New York, NY 10021, telephone - [1] (212) 472-7645, FAX - [1] (212) 628-0252

US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador R. Grant SMITH embassy: interim chancery, Oktyabrskaya Hotel, 105A Prospect Rudaki, Dushanbe 734001 mailing address: Octyabrskaya Hotel, 105A Prospect Rudaki, Dushanbe, Tajikistan 734001 telephone: [7] (3772) 21-03-56 FAX: Telex (787) 20116

Flag: three horizontal stripes of red (top), a wider stripe of white, and green; a gold crown surmounted by seven five-pointed gold stars is located in the center of the white stripe

Economy -------

Economic overview: Tajikistan had the next-to-lowest per capita GDP in the former USSR, the highest rate of population growth, and an extremely low standard of living. Agriculture dominates the economy, with cotton being the most important crop. Mineral resources, varied but limited in amount, include silver, gold, uranium, and tungsten. Industry is limited to a large aluminum plant, hydropower facilities, and small obsolete factories mostly in light industry and food processing. The Tajik economy has been gravely weakened by four years of civil conflict and by the loss of subsidies and markets for its products, which has left Tajikistan dependent on Russia and Uzbekistan and on international humanitarian assistance for much of its basic subsistence needs. Moreover, constant political turmoil and the continued dominance by former communist officials have impeded the introduction of meaningful economic reforms. The regime has made only halfhearted efforts to stabilize the economy and promote reform.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $6.4 billion (1995 estimate as extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1994)

GDP real growth rate: -12.4% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $1,040 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 28% monthly average (1995 est.)

Labor force: 1.95 million (1992) by occupation: agriculture and forestry 43%, government and services 24%, industry 14%, trade and communications 11%, construction 8% (1990)

Unemployment rate: 3.3% includes only officially registered unemployed; also large numbers of underemployed workers and unregistered unemployed people (December 1995)

Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA

Industries: aluminum, zinc, lead, chemicals and fertilizers, cement, vegetable oil, metal-cutting machine tools, refrigerators and freezers

Industrial production growth rate: -5% (1995)

Electricity: capacity: 3,800,000 kW production: 14.8 billion kWh consumption per capita: 2,400 kWh (1995)

Agriculture: cotton, grain, fruits, grapes, vegetables; cattle, sheep, goats

Illicit drugs: illicit cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy; mostly for CIS consumption; used as transshipment point for illicit drugs from Southwest Asia to Western Europe and North America

Exports: $707 million (1995) commodities: cotton, aluminum, fruits, vegetable oil, textiles partners: Russia, Kazakstan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan

Imports: $690 million (1995) commodities: fuel, chemicals, machinery and transport equipment, textiles, foodstuffs partners: Russia, Uzbekistan, Kazakstan

External debt: $635 million (of which $250 million to Russia) (1995 est.)

Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $22 million (1993) note: commitments, $885 million (disbursements $115 million) (1992-95)

Currency: introduced its own currency, the Tajik ruble, in May 1995

Exchange rates: Tajik rubles per US$1 - 284 (January 1996)

Fiscal year: calendar year

Transportation --------------