Martial law was declared in Taiwan by Chen Cheng, chairman of the Taiwan Provincial Government, on May 19, 1949, amid the Chinese Civil War. This provincial declaration was later replaced by a nationwide martial law declaration from the central Government of the Republic of China, ratified by the Legislative Yuan on March 14, 1950. The period of martial law, which was overseen by the Republic of China Armed Forces and the Kuomintang-led government, lasted until it was lifted by President Chiang Ching-kuo on July 15, 1987. The span of martial law in Taiwan extended for over 38 years, making it the longest period of martial law imposed by any regime in the world at that time. This record was later surpassed by Syria.