Foreign Policy of the New Taiwan

Book excerpt: 'The title of this book does not do it justice, for the book ranges far beyond Taiwan's diplomacy in Southeast Asia. The most authoritative book published to date on Taiwan's foreign policy (1949 to 2000), it covers Taiwan's foreign relations and diplomacy with Western developed states, the states of Africa and Latin America, Japan, the People's Republic of China, and the countries of Southeast Asia. Based on Chinese and English sources as well as personal interviews and correspondence, Chen Jie presents a wide-ranging, comprehensive view of Taiwan's efforts to gain greater international recognition. . . . Combining impressive scholarship with interesting analysis, Chen Jie presents new ways of understanding why Taiwan acts the way it does and sprinkles the explanations with wry humor. . . . All in all, a tour de force. Summing Up: Essential.' - S. Ogden, Choice Taiwan has become a significant player on the world stage in many areas and has developed a distinct international profile and influence. Its pro-active foreign policy firmly reminds the world of a new political entity's achievement, aspirations and unfulfilled ambitions. This pioneering book discusses Taiwan's pragmatic diplomacy as a way of seeking legitimacy, survival and development for a burgeoning nation-state, against the dynamic changes in domestic and international scenes and tumultuous relations with China.