Based on President Lai Ching-te’s concept of values- based diplomacy and vision of Taiwan as a global economic powerhouse, Taiwan promotes a policy of integrated diplomacy. By building on the three pillars of democracy, peace and prosperity, Taiwan expands cooperation and deepens partnerships to create mutual benefits and share abundance with diplomatic allies and like-minded countries.
Through the New Southbound Policy, Taiwan is working to further strengthen ties with Australia, New Zealand, six South Asian countries and the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states. The longterm goal is to create a new type of cooperation proving that Taiwan is a trusted partner.
Taiwan has official relations with diplomatic allies and substantive ties with many other like-minded countries such as Australia, Canada, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, the UK, the US, and the EU and its member states.
International Participation
Taiwan has full membership in 45 intergovernmental organizations and their subsidiary bodies, including the World Trade Organization, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, World Organization for Animal Health and Central American Bank for Economic Integration. It enjoys observer or other statuses in 30 IGOs and their subsidiary bodies, including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the committees of both the Organization 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 for 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 uphold national sovereignty and dignity and advance the welfare of its people while engaging with the international community pragmatically and professionally to contribute wherever possible. To this end, Taiwan seeks meaningful participation in the UN system, as well as in other intergovernmental organizations and mechanisms such as the World Health Organization, International Civil Aviation Organization, United Nations 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.
Strong Relations
As of May 12, 2025, 173 countries and territories have accorded visa-free entry, landing visas or e-visas to Taiwan passport holders. Taiwan has also inked working holiday agreements with 17 countries.
Notably, among the 40 countries included in the US Visa Waiver Program, Taiwan is the only one that does not maintain formal diplomatic relations with the US, highlighting the close relationship between the two sides. The Taiwan Relations Act, passed by the US Congress in 1979, has continued to provide a strong foundation for Taiwan-US cooperation in the absence of formal diplomatic ties. The US 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 US Congress and signed into law by then US 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 US government. In 2020 the Taiwan Allies International Protection and Enhancement Initiative Act (TAIPEI Act) was passed by the US Congress and signed into law, expressing US 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 US government interactions with Taiwan counterparts to encourage greater engagement.
Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (center left) visits the Texas House of Representatives May 8 in the state capital of Austin. (Courtesy of MOFA)
Since taking office in January 2025, the new Trump administration has consistently demonstrated support for Taiwan across various platforms. Both the USJapan summit joint statement and the US-Japan-South Korea foreign ministers’ joint statement emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as an indispensable element of international security and prosperity, opposed any attempts to unilaterally change the status quo, and voiced support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations. Many US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have publicly reiterated this position on multiple occasions. In addition, the National Defense Authorization Act 2025 was passed by both the US House of Representatives and the Senate and signed into law. The act includes provisions aimed at strengthening Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities and encourages deeper defense industry cooperation between the US and Taiwan. As the scope of bilateral cooperation continues to expand, the Taiwan-US partnership is evolving into a model of global collaboration.
Of the 33 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, Taiwan maintains formal diplomatic ties with seven: Belize, Guatemala, Haiti, Paraguay, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Taiwan and its allies in Latin America and the Caribbean enjoy robust relations, having long engaged in close cooperation across such domains as public health, agriculture, education, information and communications technology, green energy, tourism, and women’s empowerment. Joint endeavors aimed at benefiting the economy and people’s livelihoods have achieved significant success and earned widespread acclaim.
Taiwan and the Holy See have long-standing diplomatic relations, marking the 83rd anniversary of official ties in 2025, and possess a shared commitment to religious freedom and humanitarian relief. Taiwan has collaborated with the Holy See to strengthen humanitarian efforts and will continue to be an indispensable partner to the Holy See and like-minded countries in their efforts to foster love, charity and world peace.
Taiwan and the EU have developed close cooperation and exchanges across numerous fields, strengthening their robust and vibrant economic and trade ties and increasing cooperation in emerging issues such as green energy, new technologies, digital transformation and supply chain restructuring. Taiwan and the EU are also expanding collaboration in the area 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, LGBTQ+ rights and migrant worker rights.
During the EU’s 2019-2024 mandate, the European Parliament adopted nearly 40 resolutions advocating further and deeper cooperation between the EU and Taiwan, supporting Taiwan’s international participation and expressing grave concerns over China’s provocations in the Taiwan Strait.
Taiwan and Japan enjoy strong ties through dozens of agreements and memorandums of understanding concluded by the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association and Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association that promote exchanges in trade and economy, science and technology, culture and education. In Japan’s 2024 Diplomatic Bluebook, Taiwan is classified as an extremely important partner, and Japan is an unwavering advocate for Taiwan’s international participation as well as a staunch promoter of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
Taiwan and Japan consistently aid each other in times of need, such as the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic and after earthquakes hit Noto, Japan, in January 2024 and Hualien County in eastern Taiwan in April the same year.
The strength of 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 held annual meetings on maritime affairs in August 2024, during which they 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 the fishing industry.
On July 19, 2016, then-President Tsai Ing-wen stated four principles and five actions on South China Sea issues. First, disputes should be settled peacefully in accordance with international law and the law of the sea, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea; second, Taiwan should be included in multilateral mechanisms aimed at resolving disputes; third, states concerned have an obligation to safeguard freedom of navigation and overflight in the region; and fourth, 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 transforming 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 and 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 assist 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 Taiwan full rights associated with territorial waters, a contiguous zone, a 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone and a continental shelf under the UNCLOS.
Win-Win Cooperation
As a model citizen in global society, Taiwan will continue to offer humanitarian aid and disease control while actively participating in international work to tackle climate change, terrorism and transnational crime.
The nation is building lasting partnerships with allied and like-minded countries by fostering government interaction, business investment and people-to-people exchanges as it works with 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 US, Canada, Japan, Australia and other like-minded partners to jointly organize training programs attended by officials and experts from around the world. The GCTF has strengthened global capacity in key areas aligned with its five core pillars: promoting the rule of law, enhancing resilience to cross-border challenges, improving governance and institutional effectiveness, advancing inclusive prosperity, and fostering long-term sustainability. The GCTF continues to grow, both in the number of participating countries and the breadth of issues it addresses.
Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (left) meets with King Mswati III of Eswatini in April in Mbabane, the African ally’s capital. (Courtesy of MOFA)
Taiwan’s reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic, using high-tech contact tracing and transparent information sharing, became known globally as the Taiwan Model. Its success, as well as donations of masks and other medical supplies to over 80 countries, opened the door for the country to collaborate closely with natural allies on coronavirus vaccine development and studies.
Praised for saving lives and bolstering the global pandemic response, the Taiwan Model was put to the test during the country’s most severe domestic outbreak in 2021. A swift response from all segments of society, supported by a virtuous circle of vaccine donations from home and abroad, saw Taiwan successfully fight back against COVID-19. Buoyed by this backing, Taiwan continues to bolster cooperation with like-minded countries on public health to safeguard health for all.
Societal changes, economic liberalization and democratic transformation in Taiwan have created a fertile environment for the private sector, and nongovernmental organizations have flourished. Civil society 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 UN Sustainable Development Goals.
To better connect Taiwan’s NGOs to the world, the government is committed to faciliating participation in international conferences and events while building overall capacity. The government is also eager to help international NGOs establish a presence in Taiwan, thereby fostering an environment conducive to the further promotion of democracy, freedom, human rights and prosperity.
