FOREIGN AFFAIRS

The ROC is a sovereign and independent state that maintains its own national defense and conducts its own foreign affairs. As enshrined in the ROC Constitution, the country aims to “cultivate good-neighborliness with other nations, and respect treaties and the Charter of the U.N. … promote international cooperation, advance international justice and ensure world peace.” The ultimate goal of the country’s foreign policy is to ensure a favorable environment for the nation’s preservation and long-term development.

The government is committed to its approach of steadfast diplomacy, which aims to advance mutual assistance for mutual benefits. The policy is also defined as firm in purpose and is targeted at building robust relationships with diplomatic allies and countries that share the common values of freedom and democracy. Under this approach, the focus of the country’s diplomatic work is shifting from the one-way provision of foreign aid to two-way dialogue, with bilateral cooperation projects taking into consideration the development of both industries and markets.

Under President Tsai Ing-wen’s New Southbound Policy, Taiwan is also striving to broaden exchanges with the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states, six South Asian countries, Australia and New Zealand on economic and trade cooperation, talent cultivation, resource sharing and regional links. The long-term goal is to create a new type of cooperation based on shared benefits.

The ROC (Taiwan) has official relations with diplomatic allies and substantive ties with many others such as Australia, Canada, EU nations, Japan, New Zealand, the U.K. and the U.S. President Tsai made diplomatic visits to Paraguay and Panama in 2016; Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador, the Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu in 2017; the Kingdom of Eswatini, Paraguay and Belize in 2018; and Palau, Nauru, the Marshall Islands, Haiti, St. Christopher and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and St. Lucia in 2019.

In September and December of 2021, President Tsai delivered special video messages respectively commemorating the bicentennial of Central America’s independence and marking the 30th anniversary of the Central America Integration System.

From March 29-April 7, 2023, President Tsai visited allies Guatemala and Belize under the theme of Meeting Democratic Partners, Fostering Shared Prosperity. The trip demonstrated Taiwan’s determination to expand exchanges and cooperation with allies. From Sept. 5-8 the same year, President Tsai visited the Kingdom of Eswatini on her Celebrating Enduring Friendship, Advancing Sustainable Cooperation tour to mark 55 years of independence for the African nation, the 55th birthday of H.M. King Mswati III and 55 years of bilateral ties.

Taiwan has full membership in 45 intergovernmental organizations and their subsidiary bodies, including the World Trade Organization, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, World Organisation for Animal Health and Central American Bank for Economic Integration. It also enjoys observer or other statuses in 28 IGOs and their subsidiary bodies, including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and committees of both the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and Central American Integration System. In light of Taiwan’s robust capital market and pivotal position in Asia, the Central American Bank of Economic Integration opened an office in Taiwan on July 6, 2021, becoming the first new branch to be opened outside of Central America and deepening Taiwan’s participation in regional integration outside the Indo-Pacific.

Taiwan will, while upholding national sovereignty and dignity and advancing the welfare of the people, engage with the international community pragmatically and professionally to contribute wherever possible. To this end, it seeks meaningful participation in intergovernmental organizations and mechanisms such as the World Health Organization, International Civil Aviation Organization, U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change and International Criminal Police Organization to safeguard and contribute to humanity and the welfare of all humankind. These efforts have won the staunch support of diplomatic allies and like-minded countries.

As of May 31, 2023, 172 countries and territories have accorded visa-free, landing visa or e-visa privileges to ROC (Taiwan) passport holders. Taiwan has also inked working holiday agreements with 17 countries.

Notably, among the 40 countries included in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, Taiwan is the only one that does not maintain formal diplomatic relations with the United States, highlighting the otherwise close relationship between the two sides. The Taiwan Relations Act, passed by the U.S. Congress in 1979, has continued to provide a strong foundation for Taiwan-U.S. cooperation in the absence of formal diplomatic ties. The U.S. has repeatedly reiterated its security commitments to Taiwan under the TRA and the Six Assurances. In 2018, the Taiwan Travel Act was passed unanimously by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by then U.S. President Donald J. Trump. This legislation encourages visits by officials at all levels from the two sides, underscoring the strong support for Taiwan from the executive and legislative branches of the U.S. government. In 2020, the Taiwan Allies International Protection and Enhancement Initiative Act (TAIPEI Act) was also passed by the U.S. Congress and signed into law, expressing U.S. support for Taiwan’s diplomatic alliances around the world and Taiwan’s participation in international organizations. In 2021, the Biden administration reiterated the country’s commitment to Taiwan, issuing new guidelines for U.S. government interactions with Taiwan counterparts to encourage greater engagement. Subsequently, the U.S. House of Representatives signed the National Defense Authorization Act for 2023 into law and passed the NDAA for 2024. The acts incorporate policies and initiatives to aid Taiwan in bolstering its self-defense capabilities and play a key role in maintaining regional security. As Taiwan and the U.S. continue to expand the breadth of their cooperation, their bilateral partnership has grown into one of global cooperation.

The ROC (Taiwan) and the Holy See have long-standing diplomatic relations, marking the 81st anniversary of official ties in 2023, and possess a shared commitment to religious freedom and humanitarian relief. In line with Pope Francis’ call to end the wars and promote lasting peace, Taiwan has collaborated with the Holy See to assist areas impacted by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and provide essential goods to affected Ukrainians. Taiwan will continue to be an indispensable partner to the Holy See and like-minded countries in their efforts as they work to foster love, charity and world peace.

Likewise, Taiwan and the EU, together with other European countries, have developed close cooperation and exchanges across numerous fields. Taiwan and the EU have strengthened their robust and vibrant economic and trade ties, and the two sides are increasing cooperation in up-and-coming sectors such as green energy, new technologies, digital transformation and supply chain restructuring. Taiwan and the EU are also expanding cooperation in the field of human rights. Through the annual Taiwan-EU Human Rights Consultations, both sides are working together on topics of mutual concern and interest, including gender equality, LGBTI rights and migrant worker rights. In October 2021, the European Parliament adopted a report on EU-Taiwan political relations and cooperation for the first time, followed by a resolution on the situation in the Taiwan Strait in September 2022.

Taiwan and Japan continue to enjoy strong ties, as demonstrated by the renaming of their respective representative offices to incorporate “Taiwan” in 2017. Thus, Taiwan’s Association of East Asian Relations became the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association, and the Japan Interchange Association became the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association. In Japan’s 2020 Diplomatic Bluebook, Taiwan is classified as an extremely important partner, while Japan is an unwavering advocate for Taiwan’s international participation as well as a staunch promoter of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

With the mutual support during the pandemic, the two countries overcome the challenges and created a virtuous cycle. In 2021, over 4.2 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine donations from Japan contributed substantially to raising overall vaccination coverage in Taiwan. In return, Taiwan donated masks, oximeters, medical oxygen generators and other medical devices to Japan.

The strength of Taiwan and Japan’s trade relations is evident in the annual economic and trade conference as well as the biannual economic partnership committee, which both recommenced in 2022 after hiatuses. The two countries additionally held their annual meetings on maritime affairs in May 2023 and explored opportunities for further collaboration in scientific research and maritime security.

In November 2015, Taiwan and the Philippines concluded the Agreement Concerning the Facilitation of Cooperation on Law Enforcement in Fisheries Matters to safeguard the security of fishermen from both sides.

On July 19, 2016, President Tsai put forth four principles and five actions pertaining to issues in the South China Sea. The four principles are: Firstly, disputes in the South China Sea should be settled peacefully in accordance with international law and the law of the sea, including the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea. Secondly, Taiwan should be included in multilateral mechanisms aimed at resolving disputes. Thirdly, states concerned have an obligation to safeguard freedom of navigation and overflight in the region. Lastly, disputes should be resolved by setting aside differences and promoting joint development. Through negotiations conducted on the basis of equality, Taiwan is willing to work with all states concerned to advance peace and stability in the South China Sea, and to jointly conserve and develop resources in the region. The five actions encompass safeguarding the country’s fishing rights, participating in multilateral consultations, promoting scientific cooperation, conducting humanitarian assistance and rescue operations and nurturing experts in the law of the sea.

The government is working to transform Taiping Island in the Nansha (Spratly) Islands into a base for humanitarian aid and supplies in the South China Sea. Since assuming responsibility in 2000 for maintaining the government’s presence on Taiping Island as well as the Dongsha (Pratas) Islands, the Coast Guard Administration under the Cabinet-level Ocean Affairs Council has continued to carry out disaster response and humanitarian aid missions and assisted individuals from home and abroad. The CGA is committed to deepening collaboration with its counterparts from neighboring countries in line with the government’s policy of working with all relevant parties to advance peace and stability in the South China Sea.

With an area of 0.51 square kilometers, Taiping Island has full capacity to sustain human habitation and an economic life of its own. It meets the criteria of an island as defined in Article 121 of the UNCLOS, affording the ROC full rights associated with territorial waters, a contiguous zone, a 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone and a continental shelf under the UNCLOS.

As a model citizen in global society, Taiwan will continue to promote humanitarian aid and disease control while actively participating in international efforts to tackle climate change, terrorism and transnational crime. Going forward, the nation will build lasting partnerships with allied and like-minded countries through fostering governmental interactions, business investments and people-to-people exchanges, and work with its partners around the world to uphold and promote the universal values of peace, freedom, democracy and human rights.

The Global Cooperation and Training Framework established in 2015 serves as an important platform for Taiwan, the U.S., Japan, Australia and other like-minded partners to jointly organize training programs attended by officials and experts from around the world. Over the years, the initiative has helped numerous countries build capacity in nearly 20 prominent fields, including public health, law enforcement, cybersecurity, energy security, media literacy, women’s empowerment, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. GCTF continues to expand in terms of participating countries and the range of issues addressed.

Taiwan’s reaction to the coronavirus pandemic, featuring high-tech contact tracing and transparent sharing of information, is now known globally as the Taiwan Model. Its success, as well as donations of masks and other medical supplies to over 80 countries, has opened the door for the country to collaborate closely with natural allies on coronavirus vaccine development and studies.

Widely celebrated for saving lives and strengthening the global response to COVID-19, the Taiwan Model was tested by the largest domestic outbreak of coronavirus of the pandemic. A swift response from all segments of society—supported by a virtuous circle of vaccine donations from home and abroad—saw Taiwan stage a successful COVID-19 fightback. Buoyed by this backing, Taiwan will continue to bolster cooperation with like-minded countries on public health so as to curb the pandemic and safeguard Health For All.

Changes in society, economic liberalization and democratic transformation in Taiwan have created a fertile environment for the private sector, and nongovernmental organizations have flourished. Civil society today plays a key role in ensuring good governance and enabling Taiwan to exert its soft power in the international community. NGOs have raised Taiwan’s profile by engaging in various international cooperation projects closely aligned with the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals. To better connect Taiwan’s NGOs to the world, the government is devoted to helping them participate in international conferences and events while building their overall capacity. The government is also committed to facilitating INGOs in their efforts to establish a presence in Taiwan, providing a more enabling environment for the further promotion of democracy, freedom, human rights and prosperity.