The KMT, which ruled Taiwan as a one-party state from 1949 to 1996 and has controlled the government for 12 of the past 20 years, is by far the wealthiest political party in Taiwan. Its assets exceed $600 million — 40 times as much as those of the country's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) — most of which the KMT gained in the wake of the 1945 transfer. Though the recently enacted law did not explicitly target any one party, it was widely recognized as an effort by the DPP to begin chipping away at the KMT's formidable wealth, institutional heft and business ties. By rendering illegitimate the income from sources other than member dues, registered political donations and government subsidies, the new law aims to level the playing field between the KMT and Taiwan's numerous other political parties.