GIDS received a delegation from The S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) on March 12, 2024. The delegation included Adrian Tan, deputy director of the RSIS Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies; Adrian Ang U-Jin, researcher at the RSIS Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies and coordinator of the U.S. Program; Benjamin Ho, assistant professor at the RSIS Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies and coordinator of the China Program; and three other scholars. They focused on "Taiwan's presidential election in 2024" and the theme "Changes in the Situation between the United States, China, and Taiwan and Relations between Taiwan and Southeast Asia." In-depth exchanges of opinions and discussions were conducted with our faculty.
This symposium was co-organized with the support of the Higher Education SPROUT Project of the College of Social Science. It was chaired by Prof. Jaw-Nian Huang, acting director of GIDS. Prof. Hsiao-Pong Liu, deputy dean of the College of Social Science and professor of GIDS, made an opening introduction. He also invited Prof. Tse-Kang Leng, professor of the Department of Political Science and researcher at the Institute of Political Science at Academia Sinica, Prof. Kwei-Bo Huang, professor at the Department of Diplomacy, Lev Nachman, assistant professor in IDAS, and Deasy Simandjuntak, assistant professor at the International College of Innovation, to attend the meeting.
Moderator Prof. Jaw-Nian Huang noted that after the 2024 Taiwan presidential election, the situation between the United States, China, and Taiwan, and the relationship between Taiwan and Southeast Asia have become the focus of international attention. GIDS and RSIS are cooperating in this forum to explore how to maintain regional stability and promote peace and stability, as well as to foster more forward-looking, constructive, and closer cooperation and exchanges. Prof. Hsiao-Pong Liu’s opening introduction emphasized that transnational academic dialogue is crucial to promoting understanding and cooperation in international relations. With Taiwan's new national leader about to take office, the triangular relationship between the United States, China, and Taiwan will naturally face challenges and impact the stability and development of Southeast Asia and East Asia. The forum jointly organized by GIDS and RSIS will help promote cross-border cooperation and understanding, providing new ideas to address existing challenges.
The forum began with Prof. Tse-Kang Leng, a joint professor of the Department of Political Science, who discussed the economic and trade perspective. He pointed out that Taiwan’s economy and trade are highly dependent on the mainland. However, with the results of Taiwan’s presidential election, the overall economic and trade pattern may change. Attention should be paid to the upcoming U.S. presidential election, where the new president may restart the multilateral trade structure. The reorganization of the global supply chain under the China-US hegemony will inevitably impact Asian countries under the multilateral framework. Governments and companies need to conduct in-depth analysis. The objective form restrictions and subjective ability outlook on this topic will inevitably affect different strategies for maintaining economic and political security at the strategic level.
Assistant Professor Lev Nachman believes that Taiwan’s 2024 election results highlight Taiwan’s multi-faceted priorities, including strengthening relations with the United States while maintaining relations with China. The United States plays a long-term role in promoting dialogue between Taiwan and China and balancing tensions between the two sides. Taiwan needs to continue consolidating its relationship with the United States. Beyond strengthening economic cooperation, Taiwan should emphasize the importance of international diversified cooperation and participation, committed to the interests of stability and peace in the Taiwan Strait.
