China Yearbook 1959-1960 by The China Yearbook Editorial Board (RARE First Edition), 1960 📜🇹🇼🇨🇳

1. Introduction 📜🔍🏛️

This is a rare and a cornerstone work of Cold War-era political history.

The book, China Yearbook 1959-1960, is a historical reference volume that provides a detailed and firsthand account of the Republic of China during a critical period in its history. Published in 1959 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 Yearbook provides a comprehensive overview of the Republic of China on Taiwan during 1958-1959. It serves as a primary source, documenting 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 at a time when Taiwan was solidifying its place in the world. This edition features illustrations and a fold-out map, adding to its comprehensive nature.

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3. About the Author ✍️🏛️✨

The China Yearbook 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 1959, this volume captures the spirit of the Republic of China on Taiwan during a period of ongoing geopolitical tension and economic development. The Cold War was in full swing, and the book serves as a historical marker, capturing 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, including the United States, began to shift their recognition to the People's Republic of China on the mainland. In this context, the China Yearbook 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 official government documents from the mid-20th century. 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 1959 First Edition of the China Yearbook 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 is not widely available, making it a rare find for scholars and collectors of East Asian political history.

The book’s worth is derived directly from its market scarcity and its documented history as a historical artifact.

The book is approximately 66 years old, a testament to its survival and continued relevance.

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7. Condition 🔎📚✨

This book is a used hardcover edition with a blue cloth binding and a dust jacket.

• The dust jacket shows visible wear consistent with its age, including rubbing, scuffing, and some discoloration.

• The hardcover binding itself is in good condition.

• The pages are age-toned but remain clear and legible.

• There are no personal inscriptions or markings.

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

This book contains no known inscriptions or unique markings from a previous owner, which is consistent with its past as a reference volume. The value is derived from its well-preserved state as an authentic piece of mid-20th-century Taiwanese publishing.

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9. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩

• The China Yearbook was published in English to serve as a tool for the Nationalist government's international relations and to appeal to a Western audience.

• The inclusion of a fold-out map and numerous illustrations was intended to provide a comprehensive and visually engaging overview of Taiwan, reinforcing the ROC's image as a stable and developing nation.

• 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 Yearbook 1958-1959

• Author/Maker: The China Yearbook Editorial Board

• Year: 1959

• Publisher/Foundry: China Publishing Company

• Place of Origin: Taipei, Taiwan

• Illustrator(s): Maps and illustrations

• Format/Binding: Hardcover with a dust jacket

• Edition: First Edition

• Rarity: Rare

• Transcription: N/A

 

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11. Summary of 1959

Continuation of the Second Taiwan Strait Crisis

• "Odd-day" shelling: A bizarre truce continued in 1959, where the People's Republic of China (PRC) and the Republic of China (ROC) shelled the offshore islands of Kinmen and Matsu on alternate days.

• Propaganda warfare: Over time, this artillery duel evolved, with many of the shells being filled with propaganda leaflets rather than explosives. This symbolized the deep political divide and demonstrated how the conflict had become institutionalized, rather than resolved.

Strained U.S.-Taiwan relations

• Chiang's offensive ambitions: ROC President Chiang Kai-shek's desire to launch a counteroffensive against the mainland remained a major point of friction with the United States.

• U.S. limitations on ROC action: In October 1959, following a meeting with U.S. officials in Taiwan, Chiang complained about a "lack of confidence" from the U.S. government regarding the ROC's ability to support anti-Communist movements on the mainland. U.S. policy explicitly sought to restrain Chiang from provoking a larger conflict, as seen in Washington's hesitation to provide certain military supplies, like parachutes for special forces.

• Diplomatic stance: The U.S. continued to recognize the ROC as the legitimate government of China, but a State Department position paper from 1959 highlighted the ambiguous nature of Taiwan's sovereignty. It stated that the U.S. did not officially recognize Taiwan as part of the Republic of China, which complicated the ROC's international position.

Internal affairs in Taiwan

• Political reforms: Despite the ongoing military tension, Taiwan's Kuomintang (KMT) government proceeded with internal reforms, including moves toward local self-government. By 1959, local elections were being held for seats in representative bodies and for magistrates, which helped legitimize the government's rule.

• Economic policies: The KMT also continued its land-reform policies, which had begun in the early 1950s. These policies compensated landlords with shares in government industries and helped broaden the government's support base.

• Natural disasters: In August, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake occurred offshore of southern Taiwan, causing damage but serving as a backdrop to the more persistent political and military tensions.

International events

• Tibetan uprising: In March 1959, the Chinese Communist Party violently suppressed a Tibetan uprising. This event drew international attention and provided Chiang Kai-shek with an opportunity to criticize Beijing's human rights record. It also served as a reminder of the PRC's forceful policies toward internal opposition.