Taiwan’s Relations with South and Southeast Asian Countries: Achievements, Challenges, and Opportunities

Dr Mu-Min Chen

As part of the 2020 SOAS Centre of Taiwan Studies Summer School, we kindly ask that you register to attend .

This event will be held online through Blackboard Collaborate.

*Please be aware that all Summer School event times follow British Summer Time (BST)

Abstract

This topic will introduce and analyze Taiwan’s relations with Southeast and South Asia countries in recent years. Since President Tsai Ing-wen initiated the New Southbound Policy in 2016, we have seen significant advances of bilateral relations, particularly in trade and talent exchanges. 6 out of 10 ASEAN members are Taiwan’s top 20 trade partners; Taiwan’s investments in India also increased 3 times in past 3 years; the number of Southeast Asian and Indian students studying in Taiwan have also doubled since 2016. However, certain existing problems hinder further cooperation: all countries in both regions still insist One China Policy refuse to build up official relations with Taiwan. In addition, Taiwan’s position on territorial dispute in South China Sea also suffer strong protests from other claimants such as Philippines and Vietnam; and China’s massive investments in both regions through Belt and Road Initiatives also make it difficult for Taiwanese companies to enhance influence in both regions. The lecture will concentrate on following 4 issues:

1. Taiwan’s relations with ASEAN and South Asian states

2. Taiwan’s position on South China Sea dispute

3. New Southbound Policy and Taiwan’s reaction to BRI

4. Assessments of Taiwan-India relations

Biography

Dr. Mumin Chen is Professor at Graduate Institute of International Politics, and Vice President for International Affairs, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan. He also serves as director of Center for Studies on South Asia and Middle East at NCHU, and chairperson of Taiwan Association for South Asian Studies. Previous experiences include visiting adjunct lecturer, Peking University of China (2001), special assistant to Vice President of Taiwan (2002-2004), and assistant professor, National Changhua University of Education (2004-2008). He also worked as visiting fellow at following research/academic institutions: East Asian Institute, National University of Singapore (2008), Department of East Asian Studies, University of Delhi (2009), Observer Research Foundation of India (2011-2), Institute for Defense Studies and Analyses, India (2012), European Research Center for Contemporary Taiwan, University of Tuebingen, Germany (2013), and International Center for Ethnic Studies, Sri Lanka (2015). Chen has published 6 books and co-edited 3 books with topics related to India, South Asia, and International Relations. His researches focus on non-traditional security issues, foreign relations of China, politics and security in South Asia and the Middle East. Chen has devoted to researches and studies on International Relations and promoted cooperation between Taiwanese and foreign think tanks in various areas.

The SOAS Centre of Taiwan Studies would like to express our thanks for the liaison of Professor Chiu Kuei-fen (National Chung Hsing University) and collaboration with the International Consortium of Global Taiwan Studies for this event.

Organiser: SOAS Centre of Taiwan Studies & The International Consortium of Global Taiwan Studies

Contact email: ml156@soas.ac.uk