Written by Elaine Chung and Qipeng Gao. This article examines Taiwan’s efforts to promote Mandarin education abroad as a tool of soft power, particularly in the UK. Drawing on student interviews, it explores how political values, language ideologies, and structural constraints shape learners’ choices. It offers insight into how Taiwan can strengthen its visibility and appeal in global language education.
Written by Aaron Su. This article discusses the crucial role of photography in consolidating a liberal multicultural order in Taiwan by obscuring dissent through visual depictions of harmonious Indigenous life. Drawing on fieldwork at Taiwan’s Cultural Health Stations, the author shows how photography portrays Indigenous satisfaction with current health policies, leaving little room for the everyday pressures, demands, and disputes.
Written by Thomas Ching-Wei TU. This second part of the article presents possible suggestions for promoting Taiwan-Vatican relations. For instance, it could review the visa difficulties of foreign clergy and nuns and strengthen educational and technological exchanges. Only through a greater understanding of the Vatican’s special diplomacy can the friendship with Taiwan’s only European diplomatic partner be deepened.
Written by Thomas Ching-Wei TU. This two-part article reflects on Taiwan’s diplomacy with the Holy See from a high-level politics perspective and examines how Taiwan can enhance cooperation. It argues that in addition to calling for religious freedom in China, the Taiwanese should understand the primary goals of the Vatican’s diplomacy and its differences with secular states.
Written by Meng Kit Tang. This commentary explores how Bruce Lee’s legacy offers a compelling, non-political model for redefining Chinese identity in Taiwan. By reframing Chinese identity as values-based, Lee serves as a bridge across generations, borders, and political divides. The article proposes civic and youth-centred initiatives that leverage Lee’s enduring appeal to foster intergenerational confidence, cross-cultural empathy, and peaceful dialogue in the Taiwan Strait.
Written by Maisnam Arnapal. This article explores EX-Theatre Asia’s rise as a hub of intercultural performance since its founding in 2006. Blending diverse Asian traditions through its “Theatre of Essence,” the company redefines Asian identity and globalisation. It highlights Taiwan’s growing cultural influence and EX-Theatre’s role in shaping global conversations on performance.
Written by Paulina G. Karim and Kuang-Chung Lee. This article outlines how Taiwan is advancing the Satoyama Initiative through five strategic objectives set out in the 2023–2030 IPSI Plan of Action. By integrating knowledge co-production, institutional capacity, area-based conservation, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable value chains, the authors highlight how Taiwan’s ‘3 in 1’ strategy contributes to global biodiversity goals through local and people-centred approaches.
Written by Mei-Hui Chen. This article introduces the concept of Ecotourism Destination Marketing Organisations (DMOs) and illustrates how they function through the case of the Shih-ba-luo-han-shan Forest Reserve in southern Taiwan. By fostering cross-sector collaboration and community participation, the DMO model supports sustainable ecotourism and biodiversity conservation.
Written by Mei-Li Hsueh. This article highlights Taiwan’s growing reliance on community-led initiatives for biodiversity conservation by displaying two examples, the leopard cat and Taiwan’s native freshwater turtles. This shift toward integrated, community-based approaches supports both ecological sustainability and rural development.
Written by Hsin-Hsun Huang. Addressing rural challenges, the Northern regional exchange base of the Taiwan Partnership for the Satoyama Initiative (TPSI-N) focuses on connecting people to Taiwan’s Satoyama landscapes to achieve sustainability. By cultivating relational values through school partnerships, inter-partner co-creation, and inviting external engagement, it empowers local communities. It preserves vital environments for the benefit of both residents and broader society.
Written by Hwa-Ching Lin, Chih-Chin Shih, Hsiao-Tien Hsieh, and Chia-Tzu Chen. This article explores how Taiwan’s conservation vision has broadened from isolated reserves to an island-wide ecological network. Through data-driven planning, nature-based strategies, and cross-sector cooperation, the governance model contributes to ecosystem services that are essential to public safety, human well-being, and sustainable economic development.
Written by Paulina G. Karim. This special issue, co-produced by Taiwan’s Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency and the Taiwan Partnership for the Satoyama Initiative, presents a “3-in-1” people-centred conservation strategy combining the Taiwan Ecological Network, Community Forestry, and Satoyama approaches. It shows how Indigenous and local communities steward the island’s bio-cultural landscapes.
Taiwan Insight 