US Think Tank Evaluates Taiwan's Comprehensive Diplomacy, Offers Key Recommendations for Indo-Pacific Strategy

Taiwan's "New Southbound Policy" has been in effect for over a decade since its launch in 2016. In the current fast-changing geopolitical landscape, a renowned American think tank has recently conducted a in-depth analysis of the "Comprehensive Diplomacy" strategy led by Taiwanese Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung, and offered six key recommendations. This development not only highlights Taiwan's continued importance in the Indo-Pacific region strategic arena and international think tank attention, but also provides a clear strategic direction for Taiwan to further deepen its practical partner relationships with New Southbound target countries.

Looking back at the past decade, Taiwan's New Southbound Policy aimed to reduce its dependence on a single market and establish closer ties with Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Australia through economic, trade, technology, culture, and talent exchange. With the international situation evolving, the current foreign minister Lin Chia-lung has further proposed the concept of "Comprehensive Diplomacy," seeking to integrate Taiwan's economic strength, technological advantages, and democratic values to expand its international living space comprehensively. The American think tank has taken note of this strategic transformation and provided practical suggestions on how to implement Comprehensive Diplomacy, helping Taiwan maintain a competitive edge in the region.

Based on the American think tank's analysis, these six recommendations cover multiple strategic dimensions. First, the think tank suggests that Taiwan should leverage its asymmetrical advantages, particularly its critical position in semiconductors, telecommunications, and high-tech supply chains, as core bargaining chips for promoting Comprehensive Diplomacy. Secondly, in the face of complex regional challenges, Taiwan must actively integrate resources with international partners who share similar values, avoiding a solo approach and leveraging the multiplier effect through multilateral cooperation. The think tank has also pointed out that Taiwan should adapt its approach to conveying democratic values, taking into account regional realities and adjusting its messaging to be more practical and inclusive in its communication with other countries, ensuring that its foreign policy accommodates both ideological and practical interests.

These recommendations not only serve as a summary of the New Southbound Policy's decade-long achievements but also provide an important guide for Taiwan's future diplomatic trajectory. Against the backdrop of global supply chain restructuring and intensified US-China competition, Taiwan's promotion of Comprehensive Diplomacy demonstrates its determination to proactively shape the Indo-Pacific region. By continuing to deepen its substantive exchanges with New Southbound countries and incorporating strategic suggestions from international think tanks, Taiwan can help shape a more resilient and indispensable partner image in the international community.