Taiwan and Southeast Asia: Soft Power and Hard Truths Facing China's Ascendancy

Taiwan has used soft power to strengthen its relations with its neighbors in Southeast Asia, despite not having formal diplomatic relations with them. Successive administrations have used its economic and socio-cultural links to shape what others want through attractiveness. However, the emergence of China as an economic superpower has challenged Taiwans quests for legitimacy, status, and long-term economic prosperity. This volume examines the intentions and reception of Taiwans approach to ASEAN.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 16 June 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Lee, Chan, and their contributors delve into the diverse array of soft power strategies employed by Taiwan in its quest to enhance its relations with its neighbors in Southeast Asia. Despite the absence of formal diplomatic ties with these countries due to their recognition of the People's Republic of China decades ago, Taiwan remains a crucial economic and socio-cultural partner for the region as a whole. Successive administrations in Taiwan, spanning from the Chen to Tsai eras, have adeptly navigated the challenges posed by the long-standing lack of diplomatic recognition by leveraging their existing economic and socio-cultural connections with Southeast Asian nations. Through the strategic deployment of soft power, characterized by the ability to shape desired outcomes through attractiveness, Taiwan has sought to bolster its legitimacy as a member of the international community, establish itself as a constructive actor in the region, and secure long-term economic prosperity for the island-state. However, the rise of China as an economic superpower in the 21st century has posed significant challenges to these aspirations from Taipei. The contributors to this volume explore both the intentions and the reception of Taiwan's approach to the nations of ASEAN, providing valuable insights for students and researchers interested in examining the impact and limitations of soft power in foreign policy.

Lee, Chan, and their contributors analyze the various forms of soft power deployed by Taiwan in its efforts to strengthen its relationships with its neighbors in Southeast Asia.

Despite the lack of formal diplomatic relations with Southeast Asian countries following their recognition of the People's Republic of China decades ago, Taiwan continues to play a significant economic and socio-cultural role in the region. Successive administrations in Taiwan, ranging from the Chen to Tsai eras, have navigated the challenges posed by the long-standing absence of diplomatic recognition by leveraging their existing economic and socio-cultural connections with Southeast Asian nations.

Through the strategic deployment of soft power, characterized by the ability to shape desired outcomes through attractiveness, Taiwan has sought to enhance its legitimacy as a member of the international community, establish itself as a constructive actor in the region, and secure long-term economic prosperity for the island-state.

However, the rise of China as an economic superpower in the 21st century has posed significant challenges to these aspirations from Taipei.

The contributors to this volume examine both the intentions and the reception of Taiwan's approach to the nations of ASEAN, providing valuable insights for students and researchers interested in examining the impact and limitations of soft power in foreign policy.

Weight: 660g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032340807