No Longer Hidebound: 400 Years of Industrial History in Taiwan

This article was edited by Coral Li, translated by Phil Newell, and published by The Sinorama Magazine in June 2003. It is an important article for those who would like to know more about the historical background of Taiwan's industrial developments.

"Even 400 years ago, Taiwan was already playing the role of an 'Asia-Pacific trading center'."

"In the 17th century the main exports were deerskin and cane sugar; in the 19th they were tea, sugar, and camphor; in the 20th, ready-made clothing and umbrellas; and in the 21st, they are high-tech information industry products. In the span of four centuries, how has Taiwan been able to continuously play an important role in the global supply chain? How have various industries in Taiwan evolved? What glorious accomplishments have been recorded, and what disappointments encountered? What kind of industrial history has been woven as a result?"

"Guided by Hsieh Kuo-hsing, a researcher in the Institute of Modern History at the Academia Sinica, Sinorama readers are invited to gain a systematic understanding of the development of Taiwanese industries over the past four hundred years."