21st century Year Date Event  2001 23 January Tiananmen Square self-immolation incident: Five declared by Chinese government members of Falun Gong may have burned themselves to death in Tiananmen Square. 1 April Hainan Island incident: A United States intelligence aircraft was intercepted and forced to make an emergency landing on Hainan. 10 November World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference of 2001: China joined the World Trade Organization, subjecting it to that body's free trade and dispute resolution agreements.  2002 16 November An outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome began in Guangdong. 2003 15 March Hu Jintao succeeded Jiang Zemin as president. 15 October China launched its first manned space mission Shenzhou 5. 2004 19 September Jiang Zemin resigned his position as chairman of the Central Military Commission of the CPC. 2005 14 March The  Anti-Secession Law was passed, reasserting China 's desire for peaceful reunification with Taiwan and its right to resolve the issue by force.  15 April 2005 anti-Japanese demonstrations: Mass demonstrations against Japan took place. 13 November 2005 Jilin chemical plant explosions: A series of explosions at a chemical plant in Jilin City killed six and forced the evacuation of tens of thousands.  2007 7 May 2007 Chinese slave scandal: A local television station first reported on missing children kidnapped to work as slaves at brickyards in Shanxi. 10 July Zheng Xiaoyu, the former head of the State Food and Drug Administration, was executed for corruption. 3 August The State Administration for Religious Affairs issued State Religious Affairs Bureau Order No. 5, which required tulkus who planned to be reincarnated to submit an application to the government. 24 October The lunar orbiter Chang'e 1 was launched. 2008 25 January 2008 Chinese winter storms: A series of severe winter storms began which would claim over a hundred lives.  1 May The Hangzhou Bay Bridge opened to the public. 12 May 2008 Sichuan earthquake: An earthquake with its epicenter in Wenchuan County killed nearly seventy thousand people.  16 July 2008 Chinese milk scandal: Sixteen infants were diagnosed with kidney stones in Gansu after drinking formula contaminated with melamine. 8 August 2008 Summer Olympics opening ceremony: A ceremony marked the beginning of the Olympic Games in Beijing. 6 September 2008 Summer Paralympics: The thirteenth Paralympic Games began in Beijing. 27 September The astronaut Zhai Zhigang completed China's first spacewalk on Shenzhou 7.  2009 5 July July 2009 Ürümqi riots: A riot of some thousand Uyghurs began which involved ethnic violence against the Han in Ürümqi. 1 October 60th anniversary of the People's Republic of China: A military parade on Chang'an Avenue in Beijing commemorated the establishment of the PRC. 2010 14 April 2010 Yushu earthquake: An earthquake with its epicenter in Yushu killed as many as three thousand people. 1 May Expo 2010: A world's fair began in Shanghai. 2011 21 September Wukan protests: Farmers in Wukan attacked a government building due to the government's seizure without compensation of their farmland. 29 September Tiangong-1 was launched as China's first prototype space station. 2012 6 February Wang Lijun incident: Wang Lijun, a deputy of Bo Xilai, the Party Committee Secretary of Chongqing, sought refuge at a United States consulate. 4 July The Three Gorges Dam went into operation. 19 August 2012 China anti-Japanese demonstrations: Anti-Japanese protests took place in China due to a dispute over ownership of the Diaoyu Islands. 15 November 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China: Xi Jinping succeeded Hu Jintao as General Secretary of the Communist Party of China. 2013 One Belt, One Road was proposed to connect and cooperate among countries primarily between China and rest of Eurasia. 29 September The Shanghai Free-Trade Zone was established. 28 October 2013 Tiananmen Square attack: A car was driven into a crowd in Tiananmen Square, killing the driver and two passengers, Uyghurs associated with the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, and two pedestrians. 14 December The lunar lander Chang'e 3 landed on the moon. 2014 China became the world's second largest economy. 1 March 2014 Kunming attack is a terrorist attack, killing 31 civilians and injuring more than 140 others. No group or individual stepped forward to claim responsibility for the attack.  2015 17 June 2015–16 Chinese stock market turbulence started. 3 September 2015 China Victory Day Parade was held on the Tiananmen Square.  2016  4 September 2016 G20 Hangzhou summit was held in the city of Hangzhou. 15 September Tiangong-2 was launched with mission of more than ten scientific experiments. 2017 25 October Xi Jinping was re-elected as the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China and the Chairman of the Central Military Commission. 2018 March Xi Jinping removed his term limits .20191 October70th Anniversary of the People's Republic of China military parade held in Tiananmen Square December First case of COVID-19 identified in Wuhan leading into the subsequent pandemic. 2020  30 June Hong Kong national security law passed  .
21st century Year Date Event 2000 Chen Shui-bian, the opposition candidate from the native DPP, elected president by a lead of 2.5\% of votes marking the end of the KMT rule of China. Voter turnout was 82.69\%; first peaceful transfer of power since the formation of the Chinese Republic in 1912 and in Taiwan since 1945. Four Noes and One Without 2001 23 January Tiananmen Square self-immolation incident: Five declared by Chinese government members of Falun Gong may have burned themselves to death in Tiananmen Square. 1 April Hainan Island incident: A United States intelligence aircraft was intercepted and forced to make an emergency landing on Hainan. 10 November World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference of 2001: The PRC joined the World Trade Organization, subjecting it to that body's free trade and dispute resolution agreements. The following year, the ROC joined the WTO under the name Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu to adhere with the One-China policy. 2002 16 November An outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome began in Guangdong. 2003 15 March Hu Jintao succeeded Jiang Zemin as president. 15 October The PRC launched its first manned space mission Shenzhou 5. 2004 19 September Jiang Zemin resigned his position as chairman of the Central Military Commission of the CPC. 2005 14 March The controversial Anti-Secession Law was passed, reasserting the PRC 's desire for peaceful reunification with Taiwan and its right to resolve the issue by force. In response, 1.6 million people marched in Taipei against the PRC's "anti-secession law". Similar marches occur across the world by Taiwanese nationalists. Protests against the PRC were held worldwide, including, but not limited to: Chicago, New York City, Washington DC, Paris, and Sydney. 15 April 2005 anti-Japanese demonstrations: Mass demonstrations against Japan took place. 13 November 2005 Jilin chemical plant explosions: A series of explosions at a chemical plant in Jilin City killed six and forced the evacuation of tens of thousands. Pan-Blue leaders visit to mainland China President Chen is invited and attends the funeral of Pope John Paul II. He is the first ROC president to visit the Vatican. The National Assembly of the Republic of China convenes for the last time to implement several constitutional reforms, including single-member two-vote districts, and votes to transfer the power of constitutional reform to the popular ballot, essentially abolishing itself. 2007 7 May 2007 Chinese slave scandal: A local television station first reported on missing children kidnapped to work as slaves at brickyards in Shanxi. 10 July Zheng Xiaoyu, the former head of the State Food and Drug Administration, was executed for corruption. 3 August The State Administration for Religious Affairs issued State Religious Affairs Bureau Order No. 5, which required tulkus who planned to be reincarnated to submit an application to the government. 24 October The lunar orbiter Chang'e 1 was launched. 2008 25 January 2008 Chinese winter storms: A series of severe winter storms began which would claim over a hundred lives. 22 March 2008 presidential election; with 58.48\% of the vote, KMT candidate Ma Ying-jeou defeats DPP candidate Frank Hsieh. Many voters boycott the referendum on whether and how to join UN so the level of voter participation required for referendum to be considered valid is not achieved. 1 May The Hangzhou Bay Bridge opened to the public. 12 May 2008 Sichuan earthquake: An earthquake with its epicenter in Wenchuan County killed nearly seventy thousand people. 20 May Ma Ying-jeou sworn into office as the 12th President of ROC. Second peaceful transfer of power with the Kuomintang regaining control of the presidency. Tsai Ing-wen inaugurate as the Chairperson of DPP. 16 July 2008 Chinese milk scandal: Sixteen infants were diagnosed with kidney stones in Gansu after drinking formula contaminated with melamine. 8 August 2008 Summer Olympics opening ceremony: A ceremony marked the beginning of the Olympic Games in Beijing. 6 September 2008 Summer Paralympics: The thirteenth Paralympic Games began in Beijing. 27 September The astronaut Zhai Zhigang completed China's first spacewalk on Shenzhou 7. Wild Strawberry student movement in Taiwan. 2009 5 July July 2009 Ürümqi riots: A riot of some thousand Uyghurs began which involved ethnic violence against the Han in Ürümqi. 1 October 60th anniversary of the People's Republic of China: A military parade on Chang'an Avenue in Beijing commemorated the establishment of the PRC. 2010 14 April 2010 Yushu earthquake: An earthquake with its epicenter in Yushu killed as many as three thousand people. 1 May Expo 2010: A world's fair began in Shanghai. 2011 21 September Wukan protests: Farmers in Wukan attacked a government building due to the government's seizure without compensation of their farmland. 29 September Tiangong-1 was launched as China's first prototype space station. 2012 6 February Wang Lijun incident: Wang Lijun, a deputy of Bo Xilai, the Party Committee Secretary of Chongqing, sought refuge at a United States consulate. 4 July The Three Gorges Dam went into operation. 19 August 2012 China anti-Japanese demonstrations: Anti-Japanese protests took place in China due to a dispute over ownership of the Diaoyu Islands. 15 November 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China: Xi Jinping succeeded Hu Jintao as General Secretary of the Communist Party of China. 2013 One Belt, One Road was proposed to connect and cooperate among countries primarily between China and rest of Eurasia. 29 September The Shanghai Free-Trade Zone was established. 28 October 2013 Tiananmen Square attack: A car was driven into a crowd in Tiananmen Square, killing the driver and two passengers, Uyghurs associated with the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, and two pedestrians. 14 December The lunar lander Chang'e 3 landed on the moon. 2014 China became the world's second largest economy. 1 March 2014 Kunming attack is a terrorist attack, killing 31 civilians and injuring more than 140 others. No group or individual stepped forward to claim responsibility for the attack. 18 March Sunflower Student Movement in Taiwan, students occupy the Legislative Yuan force to halt the enforcement of Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement. 2015 17 June 2015–16 Chinese stock market turbulence started. 3 September 2015 China Victory Day Parade was held on the Tiananmen Square. November Ma Ying-jeou meets with Xi Jinping, the first Cross-Strait leader meeting. 2016 16 January presidential election; with 56.3\% of the vote, DPP candidate Tsai Ing-wen defeats KMT candidate Eric Chu. 20 May Tsai Ing-wen sworn into office as the 14th and current President of ROC. Third peaceful transfer of power and first female President in Chinese history. 4 September 2016 G20 Hangzhou summit was held in the city of Hangzhou. 15 September Tiangong-2 was launched with mission of more than ten scientific experiments. 2017 25 October Xi Jinping was re-elected as the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China and the Chairman of the Central Military Commission. 2018 March Xi Jinping removed his term limits .2019 24 May Same-sex marriage becomes legal in Taiwan.1 October70th Anniversary of the People's Republic of China military parade held in Tiananmen Square December First case of COVID-19 identified in Wuhan leading into the subsequent pandemic. 2020 16 January Tsai Ing-wen re-elected as ROC President continuing deterioration of relations with the PRC. 30 June Hong Kong national security law passed . 2021 2 April '’2021 Hualien train derailment: A Taroko Express train was derailed at Hualien County killing 49 passengers and injuring 200 others. |- | 1 July || 100th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party'' was held as part of the Two Centenaries .
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2000 Chen Shui-bian, the opposition candidate from the native DPP, elected president by a lead of 2.5\% of votes marking the end of the KMT rule of China. Voter turnout was 82.69\%; first peaceful transfer of power since the formation of the Chinese Republic in 1912 and in Taiwan since 1945. Four Noes and One Without
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China
The PRC
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The following year, the ROC joined the WTO under the name Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu to adhere with the One-China policy.
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China
The PRC
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controversial
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China
the PRC
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In response, 1.6 million people marched in Taipei against the PRC's "anti-secession law". Similar marches occur across the world by Taiwanese nationalists. Protests against the PRC were held worldwide, including, but not limited to: Chicago, New York City, Washington DC, Paris, and Sydney.
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Pan-Blue leaders visit to mainland China President Chen is invited and attends the funeral of Pope John Paul II. He is the first ROC president to visit the Vatican. The National Assembly of the Republic of China convenes for the last time to implement several constitutional reforms, including single-member two-vote districts, and votes to transfer the power of constitutional reform to the popular ballot, essentially abolishing itself.
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22 March 2008 presidential election; with 58.48\% of the vote, KMT candidate Ma Ying-jeou defeats DPP candidate Frank Hsieh. Many voters boycott the referendum on whether and how to join UN so the level of voter participation required for referendum to be considered valid is not achieved.
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20 May Ma Ying-jeou sworn into office as the 12th President of ROC. Second peaceful transfer of power with the Kuomintang regaining control of the presidency. Tsai Ing-wen inaugurate as the Chairperson of DPP.
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Wild Strawberry student movement in Taiwan.
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18 March Sunflower Student Movement in Taiwan, students occupy the Legislative Yuan force to halt the enforcement of Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement.
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November Ma Ying-jeou meets with Xi Jinping, the first Cross-Strait leader meeting.
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16 January presidential election; with 56.3\% of the vote, DPP candidate Tsai Ing-wen defeats KMT candidate Eric Chu. 20 May Tsai Ing-wen sworn into office as the 14th and current President of ROC. Third peaceful transfer of power and first female President in Chinese history.
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.2019 24 May Same-sex marriage becomes legal in Taiwan.1
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16 January Tsai Ing-wen re-elected as ROC President continuing deterioration of relations with the PRC.
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. 2021 2 April '’2021 Hualien train derailment: A Taroko Express train was derailed at Hualien County killing 49 passengers and injuring 200 others. |- | 1 July || 100th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party'' was held as part of the Two Centenaries