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TAEF BRIEF
August 15, 2021
No. 74 |
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CONTENT
-TAEF Updates
-TAEF Commentaries
-Consortium Updates
-New Southbound Policy News
-Regional Headlines |
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2021 Asian Dialogue Series |
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September 4, 2021
The New Southbound Policy highlighted the increasing cooperation program between Taiwan, Southeast Asian, and East Asian Countries, and has improved information sharing, resource integration, and inter-ministerial cooperation throughout the government.
Held by the Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation and co-organized by Impact Hub Taipei, the “2021 Aian Dialogue Series: Building Asia Resilient Cities Through Social Innovation “ will take place virtually on September 4th.
The Asian Dialogue Series aims to enhance partnerships in sustainable issues around the Asia Pacific Region. The forum is a platform for the representatives of diverse industries, governments, academics, and research communities across the region to discuss major challenges of Sustainable Development in Asia.
Sign up for this event
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TAEF Celebrates its Third Anniversary! |
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August 8, 2021
August 8 marks the thrid anniversary of Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation (TAEF)!
Founded in 2018, TAEF is the first policy-oriented think tank in Taiwan focusing on Southeast Asian and South Asian affairs. In the spirit of the New Southbound Policy, TAEF aims to promote comprehensive ties between Taiwan and the 10 ASEAN countries, 6 South Asian states, as well as Australia and New Zealand through cooperation and exchanges through five action programs: “Taiwan-Asian Young Leaders Engagement,” “TAEF Program on Civil Society Connectivity,” “TAEF Program on Think Tank Collaboration,” “TAEF Program on Regional Resilience,” and “TAEF Cultural Exchange Program”.
On this occasion, we would like to introduce every member in TAEF. What are their thoughts and reflections about working in TAEF? Discover on our Facebook !
TAEF Facebook page
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TAEF Currents (No.6): Taiwan's New Southbound Policy in Southeast Asia: Success, Challenges and Prospects |
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August 9, 2021
- Ivy Kwek, Research Director of Research for Social Advancement (REFSA), Malaysia
Come August, Taiwan’s New Southbound Policy (NSP) will mark its fifth year anniversary. Even though an earlier aim of the policy was to reduce reliance on a single market, the flagship policy launched by President Tsai Ing-Wen in 2016 has now evolved into a comprehensive outreach program that looks beyond just trade and investments. Indeed, it is poised to be Taiwan’s regional strategy in Indo-Pacific.
Taiwan and the NSP have much to offer to Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific. In the post-pandemic era, the region needs more collective efforts and meaningful cooperation to achieve better recovery. All players, middle powers especially, need to work together and help forge that common vision. As the NSP heads into a new phase, it is with the hope that it can be provided a new jolt of energy to propel Taiwan’s role in the region further forward.
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National Maritime Foundation
Vietnam’s Struggle for Upholding the Rules-Based Order in the South China Sea |
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July 22, 2021
India's National Maritime Foundation* hold its tenth Eminent Person's Lecture (EPL) being delivered by Dr Do Thanh Hai, Deputy Chief of Mission, The Embassy of Vietnam, on the topic “Vietnam’s Struggle for Upholding the Rules-Based Order in the South China Sea”.
The talk discussed how Vietnam has perceived its own interests and goals in the South China Sea and how it has coped with various attempts to infringe upon those with focus on the last decade or so. To this end, it touches upon Vietnam's assessment of strategic seascape, threats, and risks, particularly those associated with China's maritime claims and coercive attempts. It is argued that Hanoi has seen UNCLOS 1982 its critical security interests and the mainstay of the rules-based order in the SCS and has been willing to stand the line at the expense of its other short-term interests.
Vietnam is observed to have utilized a variety of channels and means to press its legal standpoints and build up a coalition to counter legal warfare. The case of Vietnam indicates how difficult it is for a small and medium-sized state to stand up to a greater power to uphold the rules-based order.
* Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation signed a memorandum of understanding with National Maritime Foundation of India at the 2020 Yushan Forum.
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NEW SOUTHBOUND POLICY NEWS |
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Taipei Times
Fubon Bank Opens Australian Unit
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July 31, 2021
Taipei Fubon Commercial Bank (台北富邦銀行) yesterday launched a new overseas unit in Sydney, Australia, in a bid to gain further momentum in markets targeted by the government’s New Southbound Policy.
Although it is not a branch, the sales office can provide Australian and Taiwanese companies operating in the country with its analysis of market conditions and through its connections with other Taipei Fubon Bank branches, the bank said.
The newly launched unit would not only help existing clients in Australia receive funding or improve financial flexibility, but also offer consulting services for companies that are interested in expanding into Australia, it said.
It would also collaborate with financial agencies in Australia to provide services to its clients, it added.
Read more
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Nikkei Asia
Subtle threat to ASEAN: US Indifference to Indonesia and Thailand
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August 11, 2021
Six months after the inauguration of President Joe Biden, the U.S. has finally begun diplomatic overtures to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken attended virtual foreign ministerial meetings on July 14 as well as the Aug. 4 ASEAN gathering, which brought together member states and representatives from nonmember countries to discuss security in a series of meetings.
Blinken attended the meetings until Friday, when the ASEAN Regional Forum -- another online event -- was convened, attended by representatives from countries including Japan, China, India, Russia and the European Union.
However, the U.S. choice of ASEAN countries it is targeting has raised other concerns, as both Austin and Harris will visit the same countries, notably leaving out regional powerhouses Indonesia and Thailand, countries that would have been prioritized in the past.
This cold shoulder has not been lost on key media outlets in the two countries.
Read more
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Aljazeera
Navies of 21 Countries Kick off US-led Drills in Southeast Asia
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August 11, 2021
The United States-led Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT) military exercises are under way in Singapore and online.
Now in its 20th year, the annual drills began on Tuesday and involve the navies of of 21 countries.
They include Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Canada, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, New Zealand, Philippines, South Korea, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, East Timor, United Kingdom, United States, and Vietnam.
In a statement, the US Navy 7th fleet said this year’s drills include 10 ships and more than 400 personnel. The exercises are designed to encourage countries to use their maritime forces to enhance understanding of the “operational environment, build capacity for humanitarian support missions, and uphold international laws and norms”, it said.
The SEACAT exercises are taking place as China and Russia also undertake joint military exercises in China’s north-central Ningxia region and the US prepares for drills with South Korea that have raised tensions with Pyongyang.
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Reuters
Thai Police Clash with Protesters as Thousands Hold Anti-government Rally
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August 10, 2021
More than a thousand Thai anti-government protesters clashed with police on Saturday, as they demonstrated against the government's failure to handle coronavirus outbreaks and its impact on the economy.
About a hundred police officers in riot gear sealed off a road near Victory Monument in the capital Bangkok with containers and used water cannon, tear gas and rubber bullets to stop a march toward Government House, the office of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha.
"Tear gas and rubber bullets were used for crowd control. Our goal is to maintain order," Krisana Pattanacharoen, a police spokesman, told reporters.
The demonstrators threw ping pong bombs, stones and marbles, he added.
Dozens of protesters were seen being carried away on motorcycles and in ambulances. The Erawan Emergency Medical Centre said at least two civilians and three officers had been injured.
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