Republic of China (Taiwan) Pavilion
Interior, Republic of China Pavilion (from Commemorative Photo Book)
The 1970s were a challenging era for Taiwanese identity. After decades of acknowledging the Republic of China (the nation we generally call Taiwan today) as the official representative of China, the United Nations voted in 1971 to recognize the People's Republic of China (PRC, what we call China today) instead.
Only three years later, an increasingly prosperous Taiwan visited Expo 74. The messaging of the pavilion and its supporting materials were clear: Taiwan is the real China.
From the Official Guidebook (p.58-60):
Five thousand years of Chinese history and culture will be featured in the Pavilion of the Republic of China, in an exhibit designed to show the contributions of Chinese civilization to the world. You'll find the China Pavilion centrally located on Havermale island, just south of the U.S. Pavilion, with a total area of 11,500 square feet of exhibit space.
The Republic of China Pavilion houses a 236-seat theater in which you'll see ELECTRO-VISION - which can only be described as an "audience involving audio-visual experience." Electrovision projection is made through 38 Ektagraphic slide projectors and three 16 mm pageant motion picture projectors. These are linked by a computer into a multimedia marriage of sight and sound. The picture is projected on a giant screen forming an 180-degree angle in the theater. Through this spectacular medium, you'll see depicted the inventions and masterpieces of China, the economic development of Taiwan, and the loveliness of a region which 16th century Portuguese mariners christened "Illa Formosa" - beautiful island.
The theme of the Republic of China Pavilion is "Ethics, Democracy, Science." And highlights of these theme aspects are presented through pictures and other audio-visual means, including live performances and tableaus. About 100 performers - opera and movie stars, dancers and musicians - will entertain in their historic costumes and play typical Chinese musical instruments. These performers will take part in special celebrations, including Confucius' Birthday (Teachers Day), September 28; The National Day of the Republic of China (Double Tenth), October 19; and the Chinese arts festival from September 29 through October 9.
You'll want to see the souvenir shops which feature authentic Chinese wares, and visit the Chinese restaurants to enjoy genuine Chinese cuisine.
To paraphrase a Chinese official, just as a visit to the Orient is incomplete without a visit to Taiwan, a visit to Expo '74 is incomplete without a visit to the Republic of China Pavilion.
Exterior of Republic of China pavilion.
Exterior of Republic of China Pavilion from ViewMaster Reel 3.
I have come into possession of two Taiwan tourism brochures associated with Expo 74. Although their covers are different, the interior contents are largely similar, with the same promotional photos and captions arranged in different ways. The main difference is that one is titled "Taiwan: Republic of China" and the other is titled "Taiwan: Island Province of the Republic of China." One has Expo 74 branding on it, while the other was simply in a batch of Expo-related ephemera. Although there may be political significance to the word choice, the simplest explanation is that one brochure was produced specifically for Expo and the other was a generic tourism brochure that was distributed after the Expo-specific one ran out.
More information about the Taiwan Expo ‘74 commemorative stamps can be found here.
