Taiwan entered its modern period of multiparty democracy in the 1990s and shed most of its government monopolies as it joined the World Trade Organization in 2002.

[2] Taiwanese craft breweries have had to work hard to distinguish themselves from both TTLC products and foreign imports.

[3][4] Domestic beer production in Taiwan was more than 400 million litres annually in 2008, with a significant volume being used for local consumption.

The move was interpreted by many Taiwanese as an attempt to thwart the free trade PRC had pledged by denying Taiwan proper recognition of its trademarks.

[7] The controversy, widely reported in the international press, led to increased recognition of the Taiwan Beer brand.