We present a new synthesis of the tectono-thermal events of Taiwan, excluding the Coastal Range, based on existing isotopic, geochemical and geochronological data for granitic, metamorphic, volcanic and sedimentary rocks. Nd model ages (T DM ) and the inherited zircon ages consistently yielded Proterozoic ages, suggesting that the source rocks from the exposed rocks in Taiwan were formed in the Proterozoic, starting from about 2 Ga ago. The crustal evolution of Taiwan In comparison with the Cathysia foldbelts, Taiwan demonstrates similar Paleoproterozoic crustal residence ages, coeval Jurassic magmatism (Early Yanshanian) and Late Cretaceous (Late Yanshanian) orogeny. However, subduction-related magmatism was prevalent in Taiwan in comparison with both extension-and subduction-related magmatism in Cathaysia foldbelts during the Yanshanian orogeny. Rifting-related magmatism has continued in the Cathaysia foldbelts ever since Jurassic. Since Late Cretaceous, rifting-related magmatism migrated from the interior toward the coastal region in the Cathaysia foldbelts but it did not reach Taiwan until Paleogene. Since 5 Ma, subduction-related activity started in northern Taiwan. The volcanism in northern Taiwan was attributed to the Late Pliocene extensional collapse of the northern Taiwan mountain belt in response to the oblique collision of the northern Luzon arc with the Asian continent, but not directly related to the magmatism of the Ryukyu subduction zone. However, volcanism resulting from the spreading of the Okinawa trough manifests in the offshore region of northeastern Taiwan.