Taiwan-Netherlands relations: strong ties with historical weight

Written by Sense Hofstede. Taiwan and the Netherlands share a long history. The island’s central position on the critical trading networks of its time sparked Dutch interests both in the 17th century and today. Dutch-Taiwanese economic ties are strong but also increasingly under intense scrutiny as the chip war heats up. Next to strong trade ties, a 1980s arms sale is the most high-profile of the Netherlands’ maritime ​​​​security involvement with Taiwan. The historical, security and economic ties all touch upon sensitive issues. 

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The EU-China Summit and the Future of EU-Taiwan Relations: Reconstructing the Normative Agenda

Written by Dominika Remžová. A few days prior to this year’s EU-China summit (the first to take place in person since the COVID-19 pandemic), the Financial Times has published an opinion piece by Anders Fogh Rasmussen, former Secretary-General of NATO, calling for the Union’s stronger support for Taiwan. The article singles out security considerations as the main reason for such a principled stance, which the author acknowledges has been taken up by only a few Central and Eastern European (CEE) leaders. This focus on security issues and small states is noteworthy, as it provides the most fruitful avenue for further strengthening of ties moving forward.

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Inherent Powers of Objects: Resonance Across the Online Exhibition 

Written by Zuzule Demalalade & Tien-Li Schneider. When we believe that there is power behind every object, it signifies our departure from mundane perspectives and a return to the cosmic space we share with our ancestors. As Indigenous cultural curators based in Taiwan, our involvement with the Kuroshio Odyssey: Maritime Memories, Culture, and Landscapes (hereafter KO) exhibition project began on an ordinary workday when KO’s curator, Jiun-Yu, returned from the United States to Taiwan and visited our office one afternoon. He mentioned that the Burke Museum had some collections from Taiwan’s Indigenous tribes. Together with Nikal (Margaret), a law doctoral student at the University of Washington with Amis Indigenous roots in Taiwan, they were planning an exhibition on Taiwanese Indigenous artefacts. This sparks the idea of collaboratively establishing an online platform, a digital bridge across the 14-hour time difference between Taiwan’s Indigenous artefacts and the Burke Museum’s exhibits.

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Embarking on the Kuroshio Odyssey: A Journey from Taiwan’s East Coast to the U.S. West Coast 

Written by Sra Kacaw (Bo-Jun Chen). While planning the Kuroshio Odyssey exhibition, I had a discussion with Margaret Yun-Pu and Jiun-Yu Liu. Margaret invited Indigenous communities in Taiwan to collaborate, prompting me to search for colleagues who might accompany me. I started by pinpointing the topics we aimed to share through the exhibition. As the Kuroshio Current flows through Eastern Taiwan, what are the ethnic groups living in that area? How can we introduce the marine and material culture to the people in Seattle?  

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Crossing Paths: A Cultural Odyssey from Taiwan to Seattle 

Written by Sayang  Anang. In November 2023, I had the honour of being invited as a member of the Taiwanese Indigenous delegation to the Kuroshio Odyssey exhibition hosted by the Burke Museum at the University of Washington, Seattle. Before embarking on this journey, I hadn’t given much thought but to grasp the rare opportunity to share the traditional cultural practices of my tribe—the Lidaw tribe of the Amis in Hualien, Taiwan—with my foreign friends. Excitement filled me as this was my first time setting foot on American soil, and I relished every exchange I made. The thrill stemmed from meeting new people, exploring the UW campus’s rich history, or appreciating the proximity of Burke Museum’s collections. With each encounter, we absorbed different nutrients, stimulated more reflection and feedback, and made this trip a fruitful one. 

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As Two Go Blue, will Green be the Tertius Gaudens of Taiwan’s 2024 Elections?

Written by Jasper Roctus. What then transpired in November went completely beyond general expectations. While a desponded Gou could have been expected to go independent or join forces with Ko Wen-je, the former mayor of Taipei (2014–2022) and founder of the third force, “white” (白) Taiwan People’s Party, an outright electoral pact between Hou and Ko seemed out of the question. The idea that Ko, who in the past has been perceived as greener than even the DPP as he, for instance, mingled with student protestors during the 2014 Sunflower Movement and later stumped for deep Green rockstar Freddy Lim, would join forces with the KMT representative of the establishment he claimed to loathe, seemed a contradiction in terms.

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Why are the 2024 elections seemingly less competitive than the 2020 elections?

Written by Brian Hioe. Compared to the 2020 elections, it has often been remarked that the 2024 elections have been decidedly less competitive. Certainly, this does seem to be true, in that for most of the election cycle, DPP presidential candidate Lai Ching-te has been ahead. Nevertheless, what are the structural factors at work here, which differentiate the 2024 elections from the 2020 elections? We might take a look.

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Taiwan’s Presidential Elections in Full Swing

Written by Gerrit van der Wees. Mid-November has thus fundamentally changed the picture of the campaign. The addition of Hsiao Bi-khim as VP candidate has reinvigorated Lai Ching-te’s campaign, while on the Blue-White side, the move to attempt a merger of the tickets had backfired and set bad blood. With Hou Yu-ih and Ko Wen-je running separate campaigns, the differences are now becoming increasingly clear.

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Cybersecurity and National Security in Taiwan and Japan

Written by Margaret Siu and Tommy Hall. In an era where digital technology permeates every aspect of our lives, national security strategies increasingly hinge on robust cybersecurity measures. This is particularly evident in the approaches of Taiwan and Japan, two democratic governments at the forefront of integrating advanced technological defences against emerging digital threats. The evolving cybersecurity strategies of Taiwan and Japan are not merely reactive measures to emerging threats but are emblematic of broader global trends where digital security is inextricably linked to political stability. Their experiences offer vital insights for other governments grappling with similar challenges, emphasising the importance of agility, technological innovation, and international cooperation in crafting national security strategies for an interconnected digital world.

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Computational Propaganda and Democracy in Taiwan: AI’s Impacts on Pre-Existing Challenges

Written by Tommy Hall and Margaret Siu. When generative, artificial intelligence (AI) programmes are used with malicious intent in the realm of politics, the resulting “deepfakes” can be both convincing (at a glance) and extremely damaging to the target’s image. This article will argue that a unified and proactive response is necessary for Taiwan to successfully navigate the gauntlet of challenges created by AI in a democratic political environment.

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The Digital Evolution in Taiwan and Japan: Implications for Political Communication

Written by Tommy Hall and Margaret Siu. The digital era has revolutionised political communication, with profound effects in Asian democracies, notably Japan and Taiwan. This exploration delves into the intricacies of how political entities in these countries harness digital platforms. It aims to unpack the varied strategies they employ, the challenges they confront, and the opportunities they seize within the digital realm. Our analysis will not only highlight the distinct tactics and responses shaped by each country’s unique cultural, legal, and historical contexts but also examine the broader implications these digital transformations hold for political engagement and democratic discourse in the region.

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Digital Governance Perspectives for Taiwanese and Japanese Civil Society

Written by Tommy Hall and Margaret Siu. In the digital age, politics and technology are more intertwined than ever, especially in East Asia. With nations like Taiwan wrestling with the balance between free speech and foreign interference and Japan pivoting towards advanced tech solutions for national security, the right balance remains elusive, and the stakes perennial. By exploring these critical intersections between online spaces and national politics, this work spotlights the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for these East Asian democracies, as well as connecting the East Asian experience to the world at large.

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