Malaysia (right: photo by Chuang Kung-ju) was the 100th country to offer the convenience of visa-free travel to ROC citizens. The 35 nations of the European Union, meanwhile, had already granted those privileges. The photos show the windmills of Holland and the picture-book scenery of Vienna. (photo by Cheng Yuan-ching)

Diplomacy is an extension of national power. On the eve of the ROC's 100th anniversary, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has given the nation's citizens a big present: visa-free travel (or its equivalent, visas on arrival) to 100 nations. More precisely, there are 117 nations and territories that welcome ROC citizens on their passports alone.

"Visa-free travel is like the 'Anywhere Door' used by the cartoon character Doraemon," says travel writer Danny Wen. "So long as you have a passport, you can just get up and go, leaving the nation on a moment's notice. It saves time and money, and even more importantly allows more people to go abroad and experience different cultures." Wen characterizes visa-free travel privileges as a major accomplishment of the current government.

Members of the business community, meanwhile, describe it as the "car wheel" (referring to the rotary-shaped sun on the ROC passport) turning into a top-speed "flywheel."