This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

TAIWAN (Continued)

Exports: $16.1 billion (f.o.b., 1979); 28.0% textiles, 170% electrical machinery, 6.3% plywood and wood products, 8.0% basic metals and metal products, 28% machinery, manufactures, and transportation

Imports: $14,8 billion (c.i.f., 1979); 23.0% machinery and transportation equipment. 11.0% electrical machinery, 11.0% basic metals, 15.0% crude oil, 12.3% chemical products

Major trade partners: exports—35% US, 14% Japan; imports—31% Japan, 23% US (1979)

Aid: economic commitments—US (FY46—80), $2.2 billion, including Ex-Im; other Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF (1970-79), $265 million; military—US (FY46-79), $4.4 billion committed

Central government budget: $6.7 billion (FY79)

Monetary conversion rate: NT (New Taiwan) $36=US$1

Fiscal year: 1 July–30 June

COMMUNICATIONS

Railroads: about 1,050 km common-carrier and 3,500 km industrial lines, all on Taiwan; common-carrier lines consist of West System—825 km meter gauge (1.067 m) with 325 km double track (complete line under construction for electrification)—and East Line—225 km meter gauge (1.067 m); common-carrier lines owned by government and operated by Railway Administration (TRA) under Ministry of Communications; industrial lines owned and operated by government enterprises

Highways: network totals 17,224 km (construction of North-South Freeway approximately 98% complete), plus 483 km on Penghu and offshore islands; 11,455 km paved, 4,424 km gravel and crushed stone, 1,345 km earth

Pipelines: 615 km refined products, 97 km natural gas Ports: 5 major, 5 minor

Airfields: 43 total, 41 usable; 31 with permanent-surface runways; 3 with runways over 3,659 m, 16 with runways 2,440-3,659 m, 10 with runways 1,220-2,439 m

Telecommunications: very good international and domestic service; 2.6 million telephones; about 100 radio broadcast stations with 240 AM and 6 FM transmitters; 12 TV stations and 3 repeaters; 8 million radio receivers and 3.6 million TV receivers; 2 INTELSAT ground stations; tropospheric scatter links to Hong Kong and the Philippines available but inactive; submarine cables to Okinawa (Japan), the Philippines, and Guam

DEFENSE FORCES

Military manpower: males 15-49, 4,875,000; 3,835,000 fit for military service; about 205,000 currently reach military age (19) annually

266