Written by Gray Sergeant. Although continuity is likely to dominate when it comes to HM government’s core cross-Strait positions, there is wide scope for the new Labour government to expand UK-Taiwan ties and support peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. However, there is still uncertainty hanging over the UK’s commitment to Indo-Pacific security, subject to the China audit and defence review.
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 Russell Sherrard-Smith. This article compares Taiwan’s DPP with the Liberal Party of the Philippines, focusing on party institutionalisation and how it contributes to our understanding of the quality of democracy. The author looks at the two parties’ systemness, centralisation, leadership stability and other factors that significantly influence the countries’ democratic development.
Written by Alessandro Albana and Antonio Fiori. The president-elect Lai Ching-te is expected to bring about no significant changes compared to the incumbent leadership of Tsai Ing-wen in terms of external relations. This article reviews the growing relationship between Taiwan and Europe in the past few years and the potential obstacles ahead.
Written by Uma Baron. Taiwan has long been recognised as an international beacon for LGBTQ+ rights. This article analyses the existing diplomatic power and future potential of Tongzhi diplomacy as part of the agenda of preserving and expanding Taiwan’s presence in international spaces.
