Pacific region – Taiwan Insight

TAIWAN AND THE PACIFIC ISLANDS: GEOHISTORICAL TRAJECTORIES FROM EAST ASIA TO OCEANIA

27 October 2026 NGA Shi Yeu

Written by Charles R. Charrington. Taiwan’s connection to Oceania spans deep prehistoric migrations, historic trade, and complex geopolitical shifts. From the ancient expansion of Austronesian-speaking ancestors to colonial-era exploitation and modern diplomatic dynamics, the island remains deeply tied to the Pacific. Today, amid environmental challenges and rising superpower rivalries, Taiwan continues to reshape its regional presence through development aid, climate resilience initiatives, and cultural exchange.

Why Taiwan Matters More Than Ever for India’s Indo-Pacific Outlook

6 July 2026 Chee-Hann Wu

Written by Jagannath Panda. The article argues that India should view Taiwan as a strategic Indo–Pacific partner beyond the lens of China or semiconductors. By deepening cooperation in technology, supply chains, digital infrastructure, and democratic governance, India, Taiwan, and like-minded regional partners can build a more resilient, economically secure, and strategically autonomous Indo-Pacific.

The Island Is Our Canoe: Taiwan–Guam Exchange Finds Connection Beyond the Stage

11 September 2025 Chee-Hann Wu

Written by Eloise Phillips. This article examines the 2025 Taiwan–Guam cultural exchange, led by Taiwan’s National Museum of Prehistory, which wove song, canoe building, and shared practices into island diplomacy. Through workshops, performances, and informal encounters, the program connected Austronesian communities across the Pacific, highlighting resilience, mutual reclamation, and living traditions of cultural practice, language, and art.

The Promise of a Return to Taiwan in Recent Election Campaigns: Federated States of Micronesia, Solomon Islands, and Honduras

15 November 2024 Yu-Chen

Written by Jess Marinaccio. This article highlights the cases of the Federal States of Micronesia, Solomon Islands, and Honduras, where restoring diplomatic relations with Taiwan has become a talking point in election campaigns. While many analysts are concerned about Taiwan’s “diplomatic zero” situation, this article argues that the possibility of restoring broken diplomatic ties remains open for Taiwan’s recently departed allies.

Is it the End for Taiwan and Pacific Regionalism? Controversy at the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders Meeting in Tonga

13 September 2024 Chee-Hann Wu

Written by Jess Marinaccio. This article examines the 53rd Leaders Meeting of the Pacific Islands Forum, taking place from 26 to 30 August 2024. It highlights the several controversies that Taiwan was embroiled in during the Meeting, particularly in regard to Taiwan’s position as a PIF “development partner” despite objections from China.

Pondering the Pacific: One of the Moons Version II

26 July 2022

Written by Ysanne Chen, Ilin Tsai, and Shih-Hao Huang. In “Pondering the Pacific,” we conceptualise the Pacific as an oceanic highway or a contact zone. The vast ocean connects Pacific Islands. We travel from the island of Taiwan (we are reluctant to call it main(is)land) to Pongso no Tao to recover and explore this connection. When on the island, we further learn about Tao people’s connectedness to other Pacific Islanders. Upon our return, we wrote these poems to celebrate the Pacific. Along with other Pacific Islanders writers and poets, we praise the Pacific for its abundance and ability to connect people. We also join Pacific Islanders in voicing out against nuclear contamination and all forms of environmental injustice.

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