2023 Academia Sinica Open House

In recent years, the dynamics in U.S.-China relations shifted from engagement to competition. Both are competing over their political intuitions, advanced technology, and ideological appeals. Such differences also led to significant pressure on countries in Europe and Asia when formulating and implementing their foreign policies, respectively. As Taiwan’s presidential election approaches, it is essential to gauge to what extent the public opinions in Taiwan will impact the U.S.-China-Taiwan triangle in the coming future.
This panel discussion focuses on how identity formations in the United States, China, and Taiwan shape the strategic triangle. When Taiwan became a liberal democracy in the 1990s, it went through a shift from Chinese identity to a local one. How does the change of political identity shape people’s understanding of the Chinese cultural traditions? How does it impact Taiwan’s official policy on cultural heritage conservation? In addition, the local identity plays an important role in shaping Taiwan’s policy toward China, as well as economic and security ties with the United States. Finally, how the Taiwanese government employs economic statecraft in addressing China’s economic sanctions also carries significant policy implications for countries in Asia and beyond. The Institute of Political Science in Academia Sinica invites three scholars to share their insights on these issues.