Written by Andrew Yeh. This article argues that the new UK government should turn its attention to China’s escalating greyzone tactics against Taiwan, from large-scale military drills to cyber-attacks and coercive economic diplomacy. The UK and its allies should raise the cost of PRC’s aggressions, strengthen Taiwan’s resilience and work with allies to reaffirm the international rules-based order.
Written by Max Dixon. This article argues that dealing with Taiwan is central to the new Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s notion of progressive realism, including its security commitment to Japan and South Korea, to the AUKUS pact and economic commitment to the CPTPP. Though Labour is conventionally focused on relations with Europe, the Taiwan issue is increasingly inevitable in the British approach to the Indo-Pacific.
Written by Michael Reilly. This article argues that any marked shift in British policy towards Taiwan seems unlikely with the change in government because foreign policy has always been largely bipartisan. There are many more pressing priorities than Taiwan and therefore the initiative for further developing bilateral relations lies with Taiwan.
Written by Bonny Ling. This article is republished from the Business Human Rights Journal. It examines the recent public consultation, conducted by Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs, about the draft guidelines of Taiwanese enterprises on respecting human rights in the supply chain.
Written by Brian Hioe. This article compares the Bluebird Movement to the 2014 Sunflower Movement, emphasizing how both large-scale protests were fundamentally driven by concerns over China’s influence rather than purely about domestic issues.
Written by Gunter Schubert. On May 20, Lai Ching-te became the fifth popularly elected president of the Republic of China, facing numerous challenges as Taiwan’s legislature’s lack of compromise hampers effective policymaking and risks paralysis. This article emphasizes the need for a culture of compromise and responsible political competition in Taiwan’s democracy.
Written by Ian Murphy. This article critically examines infrastructure warfare and its application to the China-Taiwan conflict. Particularly, China’s development of the China-Kinmen water pipeline and the proposed Kinmen-Xiamen Bridge project raise concerns about its use of infrastructure as a tool of political coercion.
Written by Dr Chieh-chi HSIEH. Based on President Lai Ching-Te’s inaugural speech, this article argues that Lai is likely to adopt a ‘passive responsiveness’ approach when engaging with the Chinese government in the next four years. This is a continuation of President Tsai’s strategy on cross-strait relations, only responding firmly when the circumstances are pertinent.
Written by Chieh-Ting Yeh. This article analyses the fallacy logic of the narratives of international media on Taiwan-China relations, placing the onus on Taiwan to soothe China and avoid provocation. Democratic societies, it argues, should not let Beijing to have the power to unilaterally and arbitrarily impose red lines on Taiwan.
Written by Zhekai Li. This article analyses China’s naval expansion in the backdrop of President Lai’s inauguration. The author argues that the launch of China’s third aircraft carrier signifies a significant expansion of its naval capabilities and poses new challenge to the balance of power in the Taiwan Strait. The future of Taiwan rests on restraint by all parties more than ever.
Written by Raian Hossain. This article analyses President Lai’s speech from geopolitical and domestic perspectives, focusing on democracy as a roadmap for Taiwan, Lai’s vision for cross-Strait relations and domestic agendas for Taiwan. It concludes that despite being bolder than Tsai in 2016, the speech was very status quo-maintained driven.
Written by Dolma Tsering. President Lai’s administration could mark a new beginning for Taiwan and exiled Tibetan relations by inviting the representatives of the Tibetan government in exile to attend the inauguration. This article reviews subtle changes that have been happening under the Tsai administration in its approach to dealing with Tibet and suggests reasons for optimism for positive relations under Lai.
Taiwan Insight 