Facing Global Uncertainties and Challenges
The world today faces growing uncertainties and challenges, including prolonged conflicts, economic coercion, democratic backsliding, and disinformation campaigns. Authoritarian regimes increasingly employ gray-zone tactics that undermine the norm-based international order. In this vulnerable global environment, peace cannot be taken for granted. Democracies must unite to strengthen resilience and safeguard our cherished values and way of life.
Taiwan: A Key Player and Indispensable Partner
Taiwan is a crucial actor and indispensable partner in the Indo-Pacific region, working towards global peace, stability, and prosperity. Situated in the first chain of islands in the Indo-Pacific, Taiwan defends democracy and freedom against authoritarian expansionism. Moreover, Taiwan significantly contributes to regional stability and prosperity through its robust economy and semiconductor ecosystem. As the 21st largest economy, Taiwan leads in artificial intelligence and semiconductors, producing over 60% of the world’s chips and 90% of advanced ones. This economic might drives global growth, making Taiwan an indispensable partner for development across various sectors.
Defending Democratic Values
Taiwan is committed to defending democratic values both domestically and internationally. Last year, President Lai Ching-te launched the Four Pillars of Peace Action Plan, pledging to increase Taiwan’s defense budget and bolster societal resilience. Taiwan does not seek conflict with China nor provoke it. In fact, Taiwan urges Beijing to resume dialogue based on parity and dignity.
Integrated Diplomacy
Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs promotes “Integrated Diplomacy,” leveraging Taiwan’s diplomatic, defense, technological, and economic strengths. This smart power approach enables Taiwan to progress amidst complex international relations, enhancing its global presence and contributing to a more stable and prosperous world.
Global Democratic Value Chains
Through global democratic value chains, Taiwan deepens its association with democracies to address uncertain geopolitical risks, resist authoritarian influence, promote human rights, advance digital governance, and uphold the norm-based international order. Taiwan’s resilience against authoritarian threats demonstrates that democracy can endure and flourish under pressure.
Economic Powerhouse
As a prosperous economic power, Taiwan leads semiconductor and advanced technology production. Its economic capabilities fuel innovation and growth in AI, digitalization, and healthcare sectors. To strengthen this position, Taiwan has initiated an economic diplomacy strategy focused on “non-red” supply chains, aiming to build reliable and transparent networks that protect critical industries from authoritarian interference.
Promoting Mutual Beneficial Development
Taiwan actively champions the Allies’ Prosperity Project, using public-private collaboration to integrate government resources and leverage Taiwan’s industrial advantages for mutual benefit. Initiatives include collaborating with Paraguay on a Health Information System (HIS) to improve national medical information management, cooperating with Swaziland on oil reserve facilities to enhance energy security and stimulate local industry, and assisting Palau in becoming an intelligent and sustainable island nation, exemplifying Taiwan’s commitment to sustainable international cooperation.
International Recognition and ONU Participation
Despite Taiwan’s significant global contributions, it remains largely unrecognized by the international community and cannot participate in the United Nations (UN) system. Taiwan’s exclusion is due to China’s deliberate distortion of UN General Assembly Resolution 2758, falsely linking it to the “One-China Principle.” China continues to use this resolution as a pretext to exclude Taiwan from the international community.
UN Resolution 2758 and Taiwan’s Status
Resolution 2758 of the UN General Assembly does not mention Taiwan at all; it only addresses China’s representation in the UN. The resolution does not declare that Taiwan is part of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) nor authorize the PRC to represent Taiwan in the UN system. However, the UN has succumbed to China’s political pressure, using the resolution as a pretext for excluding Taiwan from the international community.
Growing International Support
In response, Taiwan condemns this injustice and gathers more international support. As global backing for Taiwan increases, countries worldwide emphasize the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait at bilateral and multilateral forums like the G7 summit. Executive and legislative branches of numerous nations have publicly clarified that UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 does not determine Taiwan’s status nor prevent its participation in international organizations, including the UN system.
Inclusion in UN Vision
As the UN celebrates its 80th anniversary—just five years away from realizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—it is time for the UN to fulfill its vision of “leaving no one behind” and “being better together” by including Taiwan.
Key Questions and Answers
- What makes Taiwan a key player in the Indo-Pacific region? Taiwan’s strategic location, defense of democracy against authoritarian expansionism, robust economy, and leadership in semiconductors and advanced technologies make it a crucial actor.
- How does Taiwan promote global peace and prosperity? Through integrated diplomacy, global democratic value chains, and economic diplomacy focused on non-red supply chains, Taiwan strengthens resilience and contributes to a more stable world.
- Why can’t Taiwan participate in the UN system? Despite not being mentioned in UN General Assembly Resolution 2758, China has used this resolution to exclude Taiwan from the international community under the “One-China Principle.”
- How is Taiwan addressing its limited international recognition? By condemning injustice and garnering growing international support, Taiwan aims to be included in the UN’s vision of global cooperation.
