China Handbook 1956-1957 by The China Handbook Editorial Board (RARE First Edition, Illustrated), 1956 📜🇹🇼🇨🇳

1. Introduction 📜🔍🏛️

This is a rare and a cornerstone work of Cold War-era political history. The book, China Handbook 1956-1957, is a comprehensive reference work that provides a detailed, firsthand account of the Republic of China (ROC) on Taiwan during a crucial period of its history.

Published in 1956 by the China Publishing Company in Taipei, Taiwan, this volume is a highly sought-after artifact for collectors of East Asian studies. It offers a unique window into a significant period of Chinese and Taiwanese relations. This edition is a tangible connection to the enduring legacy of the Nationalist government after its retreat to Taiwan. Its documented rarity and exceptional content make this a premier acquisition for any serious library.

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2. About the Book 📖✍️✨

The China Handbook 1956-1957 is a comprehensive reference work that provides a detailed look into the Republic of China on Taiwan.

It documents the political structure, economic activities, social developments, and diplomatic relations of the island nation. The yearbook contains information on a wide range of topics, including the government, economic production, foreign relations, and military affairs. It offers a window into the official perspective of the ROC government as it was solidifying its place in the world.

This edition features a map and illustrations that add a valuable visual dimension to its content.

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3. About the Author ✍️🏛️✨

The China Handbook Editorial Board was responsible for compiling and publishing this handbook, playing a central role in documenting and disseminating information about Taiwan's development.

The board's work contributed to shaping the understanding of Taiwan's situation and its progress, particularly for an English-speaking audience. While the specific individuals on the board may not be widely known, their collective effort in producing this publication makes them significant contributors to the historical record of Taiwan.

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4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜

Published in 1956, this book is a historical marker of the Cold War. It captures the nation's self-image and documented state as it continued to build and develop its infrastructure and international presence. 

The book's publication occurred during a period of international isolation for the ROC government, as many nations began to shift their recognition to the People's Republic of China on the mainland. In this context, the China Handbook was a critical tool for the ROC to assert its sovereignty and legitimacy on the world stage. It was a document of defiance and a statement of intent, detailing the ROC's progress despite its political challenges.

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5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️

This book is intended for a curator of East Asian political history, a scholar of the Cold War, or a private collector of specialized historical reference volumes. It is an ideal acquisition for an individual who seeks to understand the intellectual and political currents that shaped the relationship between Taiwan and Mainland China.

This volume would be a centerpiece in a collection focused on the history of political propaganda or post-war reconstruction in Asia. It appeals to a collector who values a primary source document that captures a nation's official narrative.

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6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️

This 1956 First Edition of the China Handbook is a valuable and collectible item for several reasons. Its primary value stems from its status as a highly specific, primary source document for the history of the Republic of China on Taiwan.

As a yearly volume, it was not mass-produced and was often discarded when a new edition was released, making its survival in a well-preserved state a genuine rarity on the market. The book’s worth is derived directly from its market scarcity and its documented history as a historical artifact.

The book is approximately 69 years old, a testament to its survival and continued relevance.

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7. Condition 🔎📚✨

This book is a used hardcover edition with dust jacket.

• The binding shows authentic wear consistent with its age, including rubbing and scuffing.

• The pages have some expected discoloration, but the text remains clear and readable.

• The book has a stamp of approval from the Government Information Office of the Republic of China, adding to its historical value.

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8. Translation of Inscriptions/Ephemera (Conditional) ✍️📜🔤

This book is distinguished by a stamp of approval from the Government Information Office of the Republic of China.

This stamp indicates that this volume was a formally approved publication for dissemination, likely to a diplomatic mission or a foreign institution.

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9. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩

• This edition includes a fold-out map, a key feature that provides geographical context for the information within the book.

• The stamp of approval from the Government Information Office of the Republic of China makes this copy a unique artifact of official government communication.

• The book's content provides an official and unfiltered look at how the ROC government viewed its own progress and its relationship with Mainland China.

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10. Supporting Information 🏷️📦💰

• Title: China Handbook 1956-1957

• Author/Maker: China Handbook Editorial Board

• Year: 1956

• Publisher/Foundry: China Publishing Company

• Place of Origin: Taipei, Taiwan

• Format/Binding: Hardcover, Cloth

• Edition: First Edition

• Rarity: Rare

• Transcription: N/A

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11. Summary of 1956

Military and security situation

• Continued hostility: The Chinese Civil War, which never officially ended, maintained a state of high alert across the Taiwan Strait. Both the PRC and ROC viewed each other as the primary enemy and continued to launch minor probing attacks and propaganda campaigns.

• Focus on defense: After the First Taiwan Strait Crisis, which saw heavy shelling of the ROC-held offshore islands of Kinmen (Quemoy) and Matsu, the ROC government prioritized strengthening its defenses. It continued to view these islands as critical for Taiwan's defense and as a potential staging ground for a counteroffensive against the mainland.

• U.S. military aid: The United States continued to provide substantial military and economic assistance to the ROC. A key aspect of this relationship was the Sino-American Mutual Defense Treaty, signed in 1954, which formalized the U.S. commitment to Taiwan's defense, even though it did not explicitly cover the offshore islands. 

Domestic developments in Taiwan

• Economic struggles: While supported by U.S. aid, Taiwan's economy was still struggling, particularly in comparison to its rising population. American analysts at the time noted that fundamental economic weaknesses were likely to become more acute by mid-1956, potentially increasing Taiwan's reliance on U.S. assistance for survival.

• KMT consolidation: The ruling Kuomintang (KMT) government, under the continued leadership of Chiang Kai-shek, worked to reform and consolidate its power following its defeat on the mainland. The KMT implemented educational reforms and local governance measures to strengthen its control and legitimacy on the island. However, this period also saw the continuation of authoritarian practices under martial law, including suppression of dissent and restrictions on civil liberties, as part of its anti-communist efforts.

• Government streamlining: In July, the ROC government streamlined the Fujian Province Government, a reflection of its governance of the offshore islands of Kinmen and Matsu, which were officially part of that province. 

International relations

• Global recognition: Most non-communist nations continued to recognize the ROC on Taiwan as the legitimate government of all of China, a position also held by the United Nations. The PRC-controlled mainland was often referred to as "Red China".

• Diplomatic stance: The PRC, after the 1955 negotiations in Geneva with the U.S., sought to project a more diplomatic image. However, U.S. policymakers remained wary and continued their policy of containing and isolating Beijing, including through trade embargoes.

Overall, 1956 was a year of uneasy stability across the Taiwan Strait. It highlighted Taiwan's military dependence on the U.S. and its internal challenges, while setting the stage for the more intense confrontation that would occur in 1958 during the Second Taiwan Strait Crisis