Events from the year 1979 in Taiwan, Republic of China. This year is numbered Minguo 68 according to the official Republic of China calendar.
Incumbents President – Chiang Ching-kuo Vice President – Hsieh Tung-min Premier – Sun Yun-suan Vice Premier – Hsu Ching-chung
Events January 1 January: The United States withdraws recognition of the Republic of China and recognizes the People's Republic of China as the sole legitimate government of "China". People's Republic of China's Standing Committee of the National People's Congress published the 11 January – The establishments of Export-Import Bank of the Republic of China.
February 8 February – The opening of Chongde Station and Heping Station of Taiwan Railways Administration in Xiulin Township, Hualien County. 26 February – Chiang Kai-shek International Airport located in Taoyuan County (now is Taoyuan County) officially opened.
April 4 April – United States President Jimmy Carter signs the Taiwan Relations Act into law. President Chiang Ching-kuo promulgated the Three Noes policy with dealing with the mainland: "no contact, no negotiation and no compromise"
May 17 May – The defection of Justin Yifu Lin to the People's Republic of China.
July 24 July – The establishment of Institute for Information Industry.
September 12 September – The Republic of China repeals a law mandating "closure" of the Taiwan Strait, ending blockade conditions in effect since June 1949.
July 1 July – Upgrade of Kaohsiung City from provincial city to special municipality.
December 10 December – Kaohsiung Incident in Kaohsiung.
Births 18 January – Jay Chou, musician, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, actor and director 12 March – Holger Chen, Internet celebrity 19 March – Lu Wei-chih, golf athlete 4 April – Joe Chen, actress, singer and model 20 April – Quinn Weng, singer 22 April – Yang Chien-fu, baseball player 2 June – Huang Wen-hsing, singer and actor 16 July – Landy Wen, singer 30 July – Show Lo, singer, actor and host 24 August – Elva Hsiao, singer 15 November – Joyce Chao, actress and singer 5 December – Megan Lai, actress and singer 31 December – Hsieh Ying-hsuan, actress
Deaths 7 March – Lei Chen, 81, politician and dissident. 15 June – Teruo Nakamura, 59, Taiwan-born Japanese holdout. 14 August – Wang Yun-wu, 91, Vice Premier (1958–1963). 1 September – Chang Wei-han, 92, acting President of the Control Yuan (1972–1973), Vice President of the Control Yuan (1965–1973).
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