Chiang ruled Taiwan as an autocratic generalissimo until death in 1975. His son and successor, Chiang Ching-kuo, then surprised the world by lifting martial law, allowing opposition parties to emerge, and eventually abdicating in favor of the first free elections in China since 1913.  Countries around the world began to look at the Taiwanese model in the 1980s, as Chiang Kai-shek’s legacy grew to include the first Chinese state to embark successfully on the road to democracy and wealth, if not power.

Economic growth in Asia, 1980-2017 (via The Economist)