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| Foreign relations of Taiwan | |
|---|---|
| Conventional long name | Republic of China (Taiwan) |
| Common name | Taiwan |
| Capital | Taipei |
| Largest city | New Taipei |
| Official languages | Standard Chinese |
| Government type | Semi-presidential system |
| Sovereignty type | De facto |
| Established event1 | Wuchang Uprising |
| Established date1 | 1911 |
| Established event2 | Chinese Civil War |
| Established date2 | 1949 |
Foreign relations of Taiwan Taiwan's external relations involve diplomacy, security, and economic engagement shaped by the legacies of the Chinese Civil War, the international status after the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758, and ongoing interactions with the People's Republic of China. Taipei maintains official ties with a limited number of states while sustaining robust unofficial relations with major powers, regional organizations, and multinational corporations such as Apple Inc., Foxconn, and TSMC. Key strategic partners include the United States, Japan, European Union, and various members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
From the retreat of the Republic of China government to Taiwan in 1949 after the Battle of Huaihai and the conclusion of the Chinese Civil War, Taipei acted as the internationally recognized representative of China until the early 1970s. The shift at the United Nations in 1971 and the recognition of the People's Republic of China by states such as United States and Japan altered Taipei's diplomatic landscape, leading to the adoption of policies like the One-China policy and prompting Taiwan to pursue alternative frameworks exemplified by the creation of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office model. Throughout the Cold War, Taiwan aligned with anti-communist partners such as the Republic of Korea and Philippines, while participating in bilateral security arrangements with the United States Department of Defense and drawing attention from fora including the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.
Taiwan's formal recognition is contested following the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 which transferred China's seat to the People's Republic of China. As a result, only a small group of states such as Belize, Marshall Islands, and Nauru maintain official diplomatic ties with Taipei, while others maintain de facto relations through instruments like the American Institute in Taiwan and the Japan–Taiwan Exchange Association. Taipei pursues participation in international agreements and agencies like the World Health Organization, the International Civil Aviation Organization, and the International Criminal Police Organization under names including Chinese Taipei and has relied on legal and diplomatic strategies involving the WTO and bilateral investment treaties to expand its international space.
Taiwan engages bilaterally with states across North America, Europe, Oceania, and Asia using representative offices such as the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei and the Taiwan External Trade Development Council. The United States–Taiwan Relations Act and high-level contacts with entities like the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Congress underpin relations with Washington, while ties with Japan are reinforced through the Taiwan–Japan Relations Association and civil society links born from events like the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. Taipei also cultivates relations with regional partners including Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, India, and Germany through trade, investment, and people-to-people links involving entities such as China Airlines and EVA Air.
Taiwan seeks participation in multilateral regimes via platforms like the World Trade Organization, where it is a member as Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu (Chinese Taipei), and through observer or invited roles in the World Health Assembly under Chinese Taipei. Taiwan has joined bilateral and plurilateral arrangements covering aviation (ICAO discussions), fisheries (South China Sea fisheries agreements), and trade (Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement influences), leveraging domestic institutions such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Republic of China) and the International Trade Administration to negotiate memoranda and technical cooperation with partners including the European Commission and the ASEAN Secretariat.
Relations across the Taiwan Strait trace to the Chinese Civil War and have alternated between tensions and engagement, including the 1992 interactions often cited as the 1992 Consensus and cross-Strait mechanisms like the Straits Exchange Foundation and the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits. Episodes such as the 1995–1996 Taiwan Strait crisis and military exercises by the People's Liberation Army influence Taipei's policy choices, while economic interdependence—illustrated by investments from China Development Bank-linked firms and Taiwanese firms in Shenzhen—creates both leverage and vulnerability. International incidents involving actors like the International Court of Justice have been avoided, with most disputes managed through a combination of diplomacy, deterrence, and domestic legislation such as statutes administered by the Legislative Yuan.
Taiwan's defense posture relies on procurement from partners including the United States Department of Defense and defense contractors like Lockheed Martin and Raytheon Technologies for systems such as F-16 fighters and Patriot missile batteries. Cooperation with allies and security dialogues involve institutions like the National Security Council (Republic of China) and joint training with informal partners; regional security dynamics include maritime incidents in the South China Sea and strategic considerations involving the Quad members (India, Japan, Australia, United States). Arms sales, intelligence sharing, and cybersecurity collaboration with entities such as the National Security Agency and private firms underpin Taiwan's resilience against coercive campaigns by the People's Liberation Army Navy and People's Liberation Army Rocket Force.
Taiwan leverages trade networks and agreements—including membership in the World Trade Organization and bilateral economic frameworks—to secure export markets for sectors led by TSMC, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. (Foxconn), and Acer Inc.. Taipei pursues trade liberalization with partners such as the European Union, United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement economies, and New Zealand, while engaging in supply-chain diplomacy related to critical industries like semiconductors, shipping lines such as Evergreen Marine, and finance institutions including the Central Bank of the Republic of China (Taiwan). Economic statecraft includes investment promotion by the Taiwan External Trade Development Council and participation in initiatives like the Trans-Pacific Partnership debates.
Taiwan projects soft power through cultural institutions like the National Palace Museum (Taiwan), language programs promoting Standard Chinese and Taiwanese Hokkien, and cultural exports including cinema from directors like Ang Lee and music by artists associated with Mandopop. Educational exchanges with universities such as National Taiwan University and scholarship programs administered by the Ministry of Education (Republic of China) foster ties with students from Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Civil society cooperation, humanitarian assistance in response to crises like the 2015 Nepal earthquake, and public health contributions to initiatives discussed at the World Health Assembly enhance Taipei's international profile alongside high-profile visits by figures from parliaments and municipal governments.
Category:Politics of Taiwan Category:Foreign relations by country