Written by Jiun-Ru Chiang.
Image credit: Starlink Mission by Official SpaceX Photos/ Flickr, license: CC BY-NC 2.0.
Introduction
Although Taiwan has made significant progress in space technology, its development is affected by geopolitical constraints. Unlike other emerging space nations, Taiwan faces unique challenges, such as diplomatic isolation and economic pressures, which limit its growth. China plays a significant role in blocking Taiwan from international organisations and influencing private-sector decisions in the global space market. These challenges make it difficult for Taiwan to fully participate in the international space industry. This article explores how China use political and economic power to shape broader geopolitical restraints in order to obstruct Taiwan’s space development.
Geopolitical Challenges: The Battle for Recognition
On the international stage, China actively implements and promotes the “One-China Principle,” which asserts that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China and the People’s Republic of China is the only legitimate government representing the whole of China. As the foundation of China’s diplomatic strategy, the One-China Principle makes Taiwan excluded from the United Nations (UN).
Since China has actively prevented Taiwan from participating in the UN, Taiwan’s opportunity to engage in global collaborations is limited because many key international organisations, especially those related to space, telecommunications, and global governance, operate under the UN framework.
Taiwan is excluded from several institutions that play significant roles in space-related activities, including the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
COPUOS sets international norms and policies for space governance and cooperation. ITU plays a crucial role in regulating global satellite communication and frequency coordination, which is essential for Taiwan’s satellite programs. Similarly, the ICAO oversees international aviation regulations, including aerospace traffic management, which impacts Taiwan’s potential for launching rockets. Additionally, IMO contributes to maritime regulations, including launch notification procedures to ensure safe coordination between space launches and maritime traffic.
Taiwan’s exclusion from IOs creates significant obstacles for its space development. While Taiwan is committed to following global regulations, the lack of direct participation in IOs makes it unable to obtain formal channels to compliance, not to mention rule-making processes.
Therefore, Taiwan is forced to detour through indirect channels, relying on third-party cooperation or unofficial agreements, which not only slows down its space activities but also imposes additional administrative costs. This inefficiency benefits no country except China, whose One-China Principle prevails by isolating Taiwan from the global community.
Additionally, China pressures other countries and organisations to avoid space-related cooperation with Taiwan. Many nations, fearing repercussions from China, including economic retaliation and political pressure, hesitate to engage in official space agreements with Taiwan, further limiting its international opportunities. For example, TASA couldn’t participate in the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) 2023 in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, simply because the Azerbaijani government insisted that visas for Taiwanese citizens could only be issued in Beijing. Another example is that TASA has tried to establish collaboration with a space agency in Europe but only received a vague response stating that “institutional collaboration between TASA would not work.” Although no specific reason was provided, it is easy to infer that political pressure played a role.
China’s Economic Influence on Private Space Companies
The Economic Realities of Private Business and Political Influence
It is commonly believed that business decisions are primarily interest-driven and less likely to be influenced by political ideologies such as the One-China Principle. Companies, particularly in the private sector, prioritise profitability, market expansion, and operational stability over political considerations. However, economic pressures often interact with political influence, forcing businesses to make strategic choices that align with both financial and geopolitical interests.
China’s Market as a Key Factor
Even if companies prefer to remain politically neutral, China’s vast market, which is substantially larger than Taiwan’s, is highly attractive to global enterprises. The significant economic disparity between China and Taiwan could make business-driven companies tend to comply with the Chinese government’s policy (both economic and diplomatic) to secure business in China and sacrifice Taiwan’s interests—even though it is an unintended consequence.
Starlink’s Restrictions in Taiwan
A clear example of this economic influence is Elon Musk’s decision to limit Starlink services in Taiwan, which aligns with his business interests in China. Musk’s electric car company, Tesla, operates a Gigafactory in Shanghai, which is Tesla’s largest manufacturing plant. Moreover, Tesla just opened Megapack, a $200 million battery plant, near the Shanghai Gigafactory this February. Additionally, China is Tesla’s second-largest market after the United States. In 2023, Tesla’s sales in China accounted for 40% of its global sales. The strong commercial ties between Musk and China make his space-related companies act cautious in order to maintain those business ties and favourable relations with Beijing. This example demonstrates how China’s economic leverage extends into the private space sector, indirectly reinforcing Taiwan’s isolation.
TASA’s Efforts in International Cooperation
To counteract diplomatic and economic constraints, TASA has strategically expanded its international engagements by leveraging global trends and aligning with like-minded allies. In recent years, Taiwan has actively participated in the Space Symposium and the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF), both of which offer platforms for networking and collaboration without the political barriers imposed by UN-affiliated organisations.
Taiwan also focuses on demonstrating its technical capabilities as a key contributor to global space activities. For example, TASA provides space weather data to the United States Space Force, reinforcing Taiwan’s value in international scientific and security collaborations. By offering unique technological contributions, Taiwan establishes itself as a reliable partner that adds value beyond traditional diplomatic constraints.
Furthermore, Taiwan actively seeks opportunities to engage in conferences and collaborations with lower geopolitical sensitivity, ensuring continued participation in the global space ecosystem. These efforts include forums on satellite applications, commercial space innovations, and academic exchanges. Through these avenues, Taiwan can share expertise and form cooperative relationships without the immediate challenges posed by political opposition.
This approach represents a paradigm shift in space diplomacy. Instead of relying solely on traditional models of space cooperation centred on hardware and high-profile satellite projects, Taiwan has embraced soft-power collaborations, knowledge-sharing initiatives, and diplomatic networking through events like the Taiwan International Assembly of Space Science, Technology, and Industry (TASTI), which attracts participation from various diplomatic offices. These strategies allow Taiwan to strengthen global partnerships despite political barriers, proving that international cooperation can take multiple forms beyond state-to-state agreements.
Conclusion
Taiwan’s space ambitions face significant geopolitical and economic challenges, but these obstacles also present an opportunity for strategic adaptation. While struggling in space development and international cooperation, Taiwan must pursue a more calculated and diversified approach. This includes strengthening technical contributions in global scientific collaborations, enhancing informal and multi-lateral partnerships, and actively participating in international forums that align with Taiwan’s strengths. By adopting strategic engagement, Taiwan can reinforce its global space presence and play a significant role in the international space community. The future of Taiwan’s space development depends not only on its technological capabilities but also on its ability to manoeuvre through complex geopolitical landscapes with precision and foresight.
Jiun-Ru Chiang is the Director of the Space Policy and Law Division at the Taiwan Space Agency (TASA), specialising in space policy, governance, and geopolitical challenges.