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Part of the Washington-Taipei-Beijing Relations Occasional Paper Special Series
The long-standing regional ties between Taiwan and Southeast Asia have evolved to adapt to shifting geopolitical circumstances. Despite pushes for official diplomatic recognition for Taiwan, non-diplomatic engagement with Southeast Asia is not new. The region’s diverse position on great power conflict, cross-Strait relations, and its own domestic political complexities creates a significant challenge for Taiwan. However, if it can build on these pre-existing relationships to create an adaptable, partner-by-partner approach to Southeast Asia, Taiwan can forge more substantial long-term ties. Taiwan should leverage private enterprises to build human capital, official development assistance to foster a more positive image, and nongovernmental organizations to better connect its people. After all, if the population of Southeast Asia has an increasingly positive view of Taiwan as an active and influential player in the international community, it is more likely to support its survival.
Part of the Washington-Taipei-Beijing Relations Occasional Paper Special Series
The long-standing regional ties between Taiwan and Southeast Asia have evolved to adapt to shifting geopolitical circumstances. Despite pushes for official diplomatic recognition for Taiwan, non-diplomatic engagement with Southeast Asia is not new. The region’s diverse position on great power conflict, cross-Strait relations, and its own domestic political complexities creates a significant challenge for Taiwan. However, if it can build on these pre-existing relationships to create an adaptable, partner-by-partner approach to Southeast Asia, Taiwan can forge more substantial long-term ties. Taiwan should leverage private enterprises to build human capital, official development assistance to foster a more positive image, and nongovernmental organizations to better connect its people. After all, if the population of Southeast Asia has an increasingly positive view of Taiwan as an active and influential player in the international community, it is more likely to support its survival.
