Written by Zong-Rong Lee and Thung-Hong Lin. This article introduces the Taiwan Insight–IJTS special issue on the Topical Section “Transitions and Challenges in Taiwan’s Economy and Society.” Initiated as an open invitation to scholars worldwide, the Topical Section reflects on Taiwan’s economic transformation, convening debate on structural shifts, their consequences, and the pressing challenges shaping Taiwan’s future.
Written by Colin Aponte. This article analyses what Taiwan’s experience can teach the US about resisting economic coercion at home beyond the so-called silicon shield. It shows that diversification beats dependence, strategic industries can become a form of self-protection and retaliation from China should be expected and prepared for.
Written by Peter (Hung-Yao) Chu. This article explores the development of UK-Taiwan relations since the Tsai Ing-wen administration until the current William Lai administration. It suggests that Brexit and China’s increasing assertiveness serve as two of the most important factors that contribute to the UK’s reassessment of its approach toward the Indo-Pacific and Taiwan.
Written by Annabel Simpson. Over the summer of 2022, reports of people being trafficked from overseas and being forced to work scamming others in Southeast Asia began to make their way into Western media. This article explores how Taiwan’s lack of international recognition impacts the assistance it can provide to Taiwanese victims trapped in these scam compounds.
Written by Dominika Remžová. This article examines how Chinese EV and Taiwanese semiconductor investments are reshaping Central and Eastern Europe’s automotive industry. It highlights diverging national strategies, geopolitical implications, and the potential for industrial upgrading amid tensions between economic pragmatism and values-based foreign policy.
Written by Ritika Passi. The article discusses the weaponisation of different chokepoints, using the India-Pakistan water dispute as a case study. It applies these insights to Taiwan, underscoring its vulnerabilities in the Taiwan Strait for trade and subsea cables for data. The author emphasises the need for Taiwan to enhance its economic security and resilience against potential disruptions.
