THE AMBIGUOUS DIPLOMATIC relationship between Taiwan and Malawi has finally come to an end. This is not merely a regretful conclusion, signifying yet another small defeat for Taiwan's diplomatic relations. It also highlights the realities of international diplomacy, which is only concerned with gains or losses, and shows little concern for morality and doing what is right.
Given this international reality, we must consider what advantages Taiwan has that cannot be ignored by the international community, and what strengths it has that cannot be shaken by China.
One example is the electronics industry, the pride of Taiwan. Taiwan's position in the field is not shaken despite increasing Taiwanese investment in China, or by China's growing role in global manufacturing.
Only real strengths and expertise will help Taiwan survive in the hostile environment of the international community. In this way, the country's situation is comparable to Israel's.
Over the past several years, Taiwan's sanitation standards, its medical industry and clinical technologies have improved and now match international standards. Taiwan has for a long time been in a position where we can lend help to other countries. Hence, the government has made a strong push to promote "medical diplomacy." The most important part of this diplomatic initiative consists of the delivery of international medical assistance.
In 2000, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the International Cooperation and Development Fund (
I have personally worked for two years in these medical units as an orthopedist. During that time, other than providing orthopedic care, I witnessed how our team worked hard to provide medical services in HIV, obstetric and and pediatric care.
Apart from a gesture of friendship from Taiwan to Malawi, I strongly feel that our efforts also have been the best means of breaking down national, racial and political barriers.
Despite these efforts, the Malawian government's decision to sever times with Taiwan raises the unavoidable question of whether the past efforts of our medical teams have come to nothing.
When it comes to the future promotion of medical diplomacy initiatives, this valuable experience has given Taiwan a better understanding of the operations of international medical organizations and initiatives.
It has also made the international community take note of Taiwan's outstanding personnel and resources and the fact that Taiwan is qualified to help serve the world with professional skills and dedication, thereby making it invaluable in the international community.
Faced with our difficult position, we should not wallow in self-pity. Rather, medical professionals must rally and bring Taiwan's successful experience to the world.
With the help of our outstanding team of devoted professionals, we should turn international medical assistance into a means through which Taiwan can survive in the international community.
This is a responsibility that we as medical professionals must shoulder.
Only through enforcing our national strengths can we make ourselves indispensable to the international community -- and only then do we stand a chance of survival.
Chen Hou-chaung is an orthopedics consultant at Taichung Hospital.
TRANSLATED BY ANGELA HONG
Why is Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) not a “happy camper” these days regarding Taiwan? Taiwanese have not become more “CCP friendly” in response to the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) use of spies and graft by the United Front Work Department, intimidation conducted by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and the Armed Police/Coast Guard, and endless subversive political warfare measures, including cyber-attacks, economic coercion, and diplomatic isolation. The percentage of Taiwanese that prefer the status quo or prefer moving towards independence continues to rise — 76 percent as of December last year. According to National Chengchi University (NCCU) polling, the Taiwanese
It would be absurd to claim to see a silver lining behind every US President Donald Trump cloud. Those clouds are too many, too dark and too dangerous. All the same, viewed from a domestic political perspective, there is a clear emerging UK upside to Trump’s efforts at crashing the post-Cold War order. It might even get a boost from Thursday’s Washington visit by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. In July last year, when Starmer became prime minister, the Labour Party was rigidly on the defensive about Europe. Brexit was seen as an electorally unstable issue for a party whose priority
US President Donald Trump’s return to the White House has brought renewed scrutiny to the Taiwan-US semiconductor relationship with his claim that Taiwan “stole” the US chip business and threats of 100 percent tariffs on foreign-made processors. For Taiwanese and industry leaders, understanding those developments in their full context is crucial while maintaining a clear vision of Taiwan’s role in the global technology ecosystem. The assertion that Taiwan “stole” the US’ semiconductor industry fundamentally misunderstands the evolution of global technology manufacturing. Over the past four decades, Taiwan’s semiconductor industry, led by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC), has grown through legitimate means
Today is Feb. 28, a day that Taiwan associates with two tragic historical memories. The 228 Incident, which started on Feb. 28, 1947, began from protests sparked by a cigarette seizure that took place the day before in front of the Tianma Tea House in Taipei’s Datong District (大同). It turned into a mass movement that spread across Taiwan. Local gentry asked then-governor general Chen Yi (陳儀) to intervene, but he received contradictory orders. In early March, after Chiang Kai-shek (蔣介石) dispatched troops to Keelung, a nationwide massacre took place and lasted until May 16, during which many important intellectuals
RSS