Historical Organization
PRC
PRC
Details
Organization Timeline
People’s Liberation Army captures Yijiangshan Islands
📅 18 January 1955The PRC took the Yijiangshan Islands from the Republic of China during the First Taiwan Strait Crisis. The conflict brought the unresolved civil war into the Cold War security order and demonstrated...
Second Taiwan Strait Crisis begins
📅 23 August 1958The PRC began shelling the Kinmen islands, escalating a confrontation with the Republic of China and the United States. The crisis reinforced the militarized division across the Strait and underscored...
Third Taiwan Strait crisis escalates
📅 21 July 1995The PRC launched missile tests near Taiwan during a period of political tension ahead of Taiwan’s first direct presidential election. The crisis brought US carrier deployments and exposed the risk...
China accepts current-account convertibility under IMF rules
📅 1 December 1996The move facilitated current international payments without opening the capital account. It advanced trade integration while preserving tools to manage cross-border finance and protect policy...
Hong Kong returns to Chinese sovereignty
📅 1 July 1997The handover restored Chinese sovereignty over a major financial and trading center under “one country, two systems.” Hong Kong deepened its role in mainland investment and export networks, linking...
China and the United States reach a bilateral WTO agreement
📅 15 November 1999The agreement resolved a major bilateral stage and included commitments on tariffs, agriculture, services and market access. China negotiated entry terms reflecting development priorities, while...
Macau returns to Chinese sovereignty
📅 20 December 1999The transfer ended Portuguese colonial administration and created a Special Administrative Region with distinct economic institutions. It linked reunification to differentiated legal and economic...
United States grants permanent normal trade relations to China
📅 10 October 2000The law removed annual renewal of normal trade status and prepared implementation of WTO tariff commitments. It reflected market-access negotiations and U.S. debate over jobs, rights and strategic...
APEC leaders meet in Shanghai as China hosts regional economic diplomacy
📅 20 October 2001The summit showcased China as a regional convenor shortly before accession. It tied reform to East Asian production networks, which created opportunities amid uneven financial and development power.
WTO Ministerial Conference approves China’s accession package
📅 10 November 2001Members adopted the accession decision in Doha after negotiations. The package included tariff, services and transparency obligations, alongside specified exceptions and transition periods.
China becomes the 143rd WTO member
📅 11 December 2001Accession formalized China’s participation after 15 years of negotiations. It widened market access and manufacturing integration while increasing pressure on domestic producers and labor; it did...
Mainland China and Hong Kong sign the CEPA agreement
📅 29 June 2003The Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement reduced barriers to trade and services between the mainland and Hong Kong. It used Hong Kong’s financial and commercial position to deepen integration while...
Mainland China and Taiwan sign the ECFA framework
📅 29 June 2010The Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement reduced tariffs and opened selected services between the two sides. It connected cross-strait economic ties to political questions of sovereignty, while...