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Newly appointed as a non-resident fellow as well as the China Affairs expert, TAEF Executive Director Dr. Alan H. Yang joined the Kuwait-based think tank Reconnaissance Research.

In addition to Chinese studies, Dr. Yang will also contribute his insights on the Indo-Pacific as well as Taiwan’s New Southbound Policy.

Dr. Yang’s participation in Reconnaissance Research will not only introduce new developments in East Asia to the Middle-East but also raise Taiwan’s visibility and voice internationally.

Dedicated to strengthening Kuwait’s role as a constructive international mediator, Reconnaissance Research aims to promote peace and prosperity in the Gulf and beyond through open discussions, independent thought, and targeted expertise.

As you may have noticed, TAEF is currently receiving Dr. Sana Hashmi as a visiting fellow. Originally from India, Dr. Hashmi arrived in Taiwan for the first time in early 2020 as a recipient of the Taiwan Fellowship.

Formerly, she was a Consultant in the Ministry of External Affairs of India, where she worked on the Southeast Asian region and the Indo-Pacific. Her primary research focuses on Taiwan's foreign relations, Taiwan’s New Southbound Policy, Taiwan-India relations, China’s foreign policy, China’s territorial disputes, and Asian security.

In this interview, Dr. Hashmi told us her connection with Taiwan and shared her points of view on Taiwan’s New Southbound Policy and opportunity in Indo-Pacific affairs.

Watch the interview

In view of COVID-19’s huge impact on vulnerable people and international development work, TAEF conducted a survey on Taiwan NGOs’ responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Through an online questionnaire, we collected data from 23 NGOs and 7 hospitals engaging in international cooperation and development in New Southbound policy countries. A formal report will be published in the near future, which depicts Taiwan NGO’s overall responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in the New Southbound countries. 

Before the final publication, we would like to share beforehand in a commentary published on Taiwan’s Liberty Times the  major actions that we identified regarding the NGOs’ responses to the pandemic. 

Photo credit: Calls over Ridges

During the five years of the New Southbound Policy, Taiwan’s flagship foreign policy initiative, the nation has been successfully nurturing ties with the countries within the policy’s framework. 

The new avatar of India’s Act East Policy has completed seven years, and includes countries from East Asia to the Pacific Islands, with ASEAN at its core.

There is synergy between India’s Act East Policy and Taiwan’s New Southbound Policy. Both were borne of their respective needs to engage the countries in their immediate and extended neighborhood. A careful analysis of the two policies shows that they evolved to meet needs in a regional context. 

Developmental cooperation is an inherent component in the Act East and New Southbound policies. India might also consider taking an active part in the Taiwan-led Global Cooperation Training Framework. This would help the two countries further intensify their cooperation and work toward shared interests.

Photo credit: Unsplash

While most like-minded countries have voiced their support for Taiwan and are assessing the implications of China’s rising aggression, India has steered clear of issuing any statement on Taiwan. 

For the first time, on March 12, the Quad leaders met in a virtual setting and also, the four countries used the term “Quad” to refer to the arrangement for the first time. However, a statement of support for Taiwan was missing. 

Given the Quad is one of the important mechanisms under the Indo-Pacific framework, India’s reluctance to voice support for Taiwan has the potential to harm the prospects of a stronger Quad.

Photo credit: Depositphotos

As a panelist, TAEF Visiting Fellow Dr. Sana Hashmi participated in a book discussion organized by India’s Observer Research Foundation, discussing the newly published book “One Belt One Road: Chinese Power Meets the World” written by Eyck Freymann.

In 2013, Chinese leader Xi Jinping announced a campaign for national rejuvenation. The One Belt One Road initiative (OBOR), has become the largest infrastructure programme in history. Using a trove of Chinese sources, author Eyck Freymann argues these infrastructure projects are a sideshow. OBOR is primarily a campaign to restore an ancient model in which foreign emissaries paid tribute to the Chinese emperor, offering gifts in exchange for political patronage.

In the book discussion, Dr. Sana Hashmi highlighted that China is consolidating its profile in countries across Asia, Europe, and Africa through the effective use of the BRI, but it is also important to consider that several host countries have renegotiated the terms of the BRI projects. Malaysia is an example here.

Read more Dr. Hashmi’s discussion points

Watch the discussion recording