Written by Meng Kit Tang. As tensions rise in the Taiwan Strait, military deterrence has become the dominant narrative. This article argues that renewed dialogue, economic pragmatism, and people-to-people exchanges are equally vital for long-term stability. Drawing on historical precedents and current developments, it outlines practical pathways to reduce risks and rebuild trust.
Written by Dr Chieh-chi HSIEH. This article argues that the path dependencies of the Taiwanese, US, Japanese, and South Korean governments encountered a change of political leadership in 2024, which created some uncertainties for Taiwan in 2025. They are compounded by the conservative stance of President Lai Ching-te towards President Trump since the latter’s election.
Written by Chieh-Ting Yeh. As recent developments transition into a period of stability, the focus shifts towards what lies ahead. The incoming government faces pivotal questions: How will President Lai’s four-year term compare to President Tsai’s preceding eight years? What key challenges await immediate attention from President Lai? Additionally, it’s crucial to consider the direction in which Taiwan is heading to carve its unique identity in the global landscape.
Written by Timothy S. Rich and Miriam Dawson. With a delicate security situation due to its complex relationship with China, Taiwan must reevaluate its defensive capabilities, including military spending. However, such policies would not be without controversy, as public opinion plays a crucial role in shaping the trajectory of Taiwan’s defence policies.
Written by Chieh-Ting Yeh. “Wave Makers” (2023; 人選之人-造浪者) is a new drama on Netflix about political staffers trying to win a presidential election in the last few months of the campaign. This may sound like the premise of many television shows in the political intrigue genre, but it is the first of its kind from Taiwan to be available to a worldwide audience. The drama addresses various political issues relevant to contemporary Taiwan, including environmental concerns, energy policies, and workplace sexual harassment, reflecting the ongoing public debates on these topics. But it is glaring in what it is missing: Taiwan-China relations.
Written by Chieh-Ting Yeh. In 2011, a relatively unknown politician in Taiwan named Tsai Ing-wen became the presidential candidate for the Democratic Progressive Party, which was at the time the opposition. She was a capable bureaucrat that was most notable for her blandness; she had close to zero personal charisma to speak of.
Ironically, this was also her strength. The last DPP president, Chen Shui-bian, was seen by American policymakers as an unpredictable populist. He used his charisma to play to his base’s anti-China stance. As a result, when the US was trying to engage China, Chen and the DPP were seen as “troublemakers”, raising “tensions.”
