Miss Chinese Taipei (also known as Miss Taiwan), formerly known as Miss China, is a national beauty pageant in Taiwan ("Chinese Taipei") since 1960. The first and second place titleholders have the opportunity to represent Taiwan at the third largest international beauty pageant, Miss International. The current 2023 titleholder of Miss Chinese Taipei is Oceana Ling-Kurie. ^[1]

History

1960–1964

Early in 1960 the Space Mass Communication sponsored the Taipei beauty contest and named as "Miss China".^[2] The winners became a talent representative of Chinese culture on world stages such as Miss Universe, Miss World and Miss International as "Miss Republic of China". The pageant existed between 1960 and 1964. The first title holder of 1960 was Janet Lin Chin-Yi who competed at the first annual Miss International 1960 in Long Beach, United States.^[3] The 1965 pageant was not held due to financial difficulties and controversies related to the personal lives of contestants. Following the end of official relations between Taiwan and the United States in 1979, proposals to restart the pageant focused on focused on making Taiwan more visible to the international community. Personnel representing the Miss Universe contest visited Taiwan in 1984, to convince the government to resume the Miss China pageant, as mainland China refused to participate in such a "capitalistic activity". The Kuomintang government's official position through 1986 discouraged beauty pageants, citing the austerity policy in force at the time and its focus on the anti-communist war effort. After the 1986 winner of the Kaohsiung-based Miss Port City pageant placed third at the Miss Wonderland competition, Miss Universe organizers visited Taiwan again, and the ban on national beauty pageants was formally lifted in October 1987.^[4]

1988–2004

In April 1988 the pageant was revived as Miss Republic of China,^[4] followed by the 37th Miss Universe hosted by Taiwan, on May 24, 1988. Jade Hu Fei-Tsui, Miss Republic of China 1988 competed at the Miss Universe pageant. In 1993 the Miss Taiwan was not held annually.

With the launch of Miss China World in 2001, political implications forced Miss Taiwan to use the name "Miss Chinese Taipei". The name was first used in the 2004 competition.^{[citation needed]}

Titleholders

The following is a list of all Miss Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) titleholders since 1960.

Big Four pageants representatives

The following women have represented Chinese Taipei in the Big Four international beauty pageants, the four major international beauty pageants for women.^[5][6] These are Miss World, Miss Universe, Miss International and Miss Earth.^[7][8][9] '

Miss Universe Chinese Taipei

From 1960 to 2004 the winner of Miss Taiwan represented her country at the Miss Universe. On occasion, when the winner does not qualify (due to age) for either contest, a runner-up is sent.

Miss World Chinese Taipei

From 1960 to 2004 the Runner-up of Miss Taiwan represented her country at the Miss World. In 2005 and 2008 the winner went to Miss World and 2013 there was Miss World official selection to select Taiwanese representatives separately. On occasion, when the winner does not qualify (due to age) for either contest, a runner-up is sent.

Miss International Chinese Taipei

From 1960 to 2004 one of the Runner-ups of Miss Taiwan represented her country at the Miss International. Since 2005 Taiwan set the own winner to Miss International and recent years the Miss Taiwan Beauty Association took over the franchise to the main winner for having chance at Miss International. On occasion, when the winner does not qualify (due to age) for either contest, a runner-up is sent.

Miss Earth Chinese Taipei

• Note: From 2001 to 2006, Miss Taiwan used the sash Taiwan R.O.C. In 2007, she used the sash Taiwan. From 2008, Taiwan changed the sash Chinese Taipei.