The Interpreter 
Date: 14 August 2018 
By: Lauren Dickey

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen (Photo: Taiwan Presidential office/Flickr)

Since 1971, when the United Nations General Assembly passed Resolution 2758 and recognised the People’s Republic of China as “the only legitimate representatives of China”, Taiwan has faced increasing challenges from Beijing that impact Taipei’s ability to maintain formal diplomatic relationships. These pressures have become particularly acute in the past few years as some of Taiwan’s formal allies have been enticed into normalising relations with Beijing.

At the time of writing, only 17 countries and the Holy See maintained formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan. These small-country diplomatic relationships underpin Taiwan’s ability to assert autonomy and maintain de facto sovereignty amid Chinese efforts for unification.

A small polity, such as Taiwan, is certainly cognisant that its ability to influence international politics through military, economic, or political means may not be commensurate with the abilities of great powers.
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