Report: Taiwan in a Changing World

The newly published report offers an overview of contemporary Taiwan, including its legal status, political system, economy, societal development, security environment, and international role.

Authors of the report: Urmas Hõbepappel, Mart Tšernjuk ja Piret Ehin

„Taiwan (officially the Republic of China) is a de facto independent, democratic, and highly developed state whose legal status is internationally disputed. Most countries, including the member states of the European Union, do not recognize Taiwan as a sovereign state; however, they also do not recognize the People’s Republic of China’s sovereignty over the island. Taiwan has not formally declared independence, preferring to maintain the status quo. At the same time, in recent decades, the island’s inhabitants have increasingly identified as Taiwanese rather than Chinese - an identity shift closely tied to democratic development and the strengthening of Taiwanese identity.," conclude the authors in the report's summary

Complete text in Estonian

The University of Tartu Asia Centre’s report "Taiwan in a Changing World" highlights Taiwan’s recent history and examines how the past continues to shape the island’s present circumstances and future outlook. For Estonian policymakers, the report offers valuable background for understanding the development trajectories of both Estonia and Taiwan, along with concrete recommendations for future action. It also fills a significant gap, as no comprehensive Estonian-language analysis has previously addressed Taiwan as a distinct political, economic, and societal entity.

The study was prepared by a team from the University of Tartu Asia Centre and the Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies. It draws on academic literature, international policy reports, and data published by Taiwanese authorities. In addition, the analysis incorporates information gathered during a research visit to Taiwan in the spring and summer of 2024, including expert interviews and meetings with scholars from leading Taiwanese universities and think tanks.

More on the report and Taiwan, see the page in Estonian.