As a child, I loved watching volleyball matches. The match that got me into the sport was between Chinese Taipei and Japan. At the time, I did not think much about the name “Chinese Taipei.” I thought Taipei was a city in China and that it was a designation reflecting that status.
It was not until years later that I realized “Chinese Taipei” was Taiwan — a place with its own flag, government and all the fundamental attributes of a sovereign nation. That sparked my interest in studying there and I discovered that Taiwan offers high-quality education and generous scholarships. However, I realized that educational opportunities remain overshadowed by more widely known destinations and that many were unaware of its quality. What convinced me to study in Taiwan was its academic excellence and reputation for safety and convenience.
Many people still do not realize how significant Taiwan is. Some of the most products we enjoy and use daily originate from Taiwan: bubble tea, semiconductor chips (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co), laptops (Asus, Acer and MSI), bicycles (Giant) and snacks (I-Mei Foods). Even Taiwan’s national baseball team, which clinched gold at the World Baseball Softball Confederation Premier12 Championship last year, has made a name for itself internationally. Yet, despite all those contributions, Taiwan remains largely unrecognized for its achievements.
If I had not come to Taiwan, I, too, would have continued believing that many of these well-known brands came from Japan or the US. That lack of recognition is a missed opportunity for Taiwan to leverage its soft power. It has the potential to boost its international presence by promoting its cultural and economic contributions. However, many people — including some Taiwanese — are unaware of just how much their country has accomplished.
That issue becomes even more frustrating when I talk to friends and family. Whenever I tell them I am in Taiwan, they often respond with, “Oh, Thailand! I love pad Thai,” and “shopping is so cheap there.” Having to correct them every time is exhausting, yet I do not want them to remain misinformed. Taiwan is a remarkable place and it deserves to be known for what it truly is.
Taiwan’s visibility is also affected by geopolitical tensions. Due to China’s statements and military posturing, some people are increasingly worried about the future. I have heard international students in Taiwan say that they carry their passports and US dollars at all times — just in case they need to leave the country in an emergency. When I first arrived in Taiwan, I did the same thing.
While we have grown accustomed to military drills in the Taiwan Strait, tension remains. Some believe that a crisis could unfold in 2027, prompting them to make contingency plans to leave. While those fears might not represent everyone’s views, they highlight a growing uncertainty about Taiwan’s long-term stability and security.
Despite those challenges, I believe Taiwan has an incredible opportunity to shape its global image. Its universities offer competitive programs in technology, business and international relations, yet they remain underpublicized globally. More government initiatives should be dedicated to promoting Taiwan as a top destination for international students.
The nation is home to breathtaking natural landscapes and rich cultural heritage, but many foreign travelers still opt for destinations such as Japan, South Korea or Thailand. Better marketing campaigns could position Taiwan as a must-visit destination.
Taiwan’s vibrant entertainment industry could also be a powerful vehicle for cultural diplomacy.
By embracing cultural diplomacy, investing in branding and telling its own story, Taiwan could ensure that its name is recognized not as a geographical or political ambiguity, but as a thriving, innovative and independent force on the world stage.
Brianne Winfried is a student in the Department of International Affairs at Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages.
With the Year of the Snake reaching its conclusion on Monday next week, now is an opportune moment to reflect on the past year — a year marked by institutional strain and national resilience. For Taiwan, the Year of the Snake was a composite of political friction, economic momentum, social unease and strategic consolidation. In the political sphere, it was defined less by legislative productivity and more by partisan confrontation. The mass recall movement sought to remove 31 Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) legislators following the passage of controversial bills that expanded legislative powers and imposed sweeping budget cuts. While the effort
When Hong Kong’s High Court sentenced newspaper owner Jimmy Lai (黎智英) to 20 years in prison this week, officials declared that his “heinous crimes” had long poisoned society and that his punishment represented justice restored. In their telling, Lai is the mastermind of Hong Kong’s unrest — the architect of a vast conspiracy that manipulated an otherwise contented population into defiance. They imply that removing him would lead to the return of stability. It is a politically convenient narrative — and a profoundly false one. Lai did not radicalize Hong Kong. He belonged to the same generation that fled from the Chinese
There is a story in India about a boy called Prahlad who was an ardent worshipper of Lord Narayana, whom his father considered an enemy. His son’s devotion vexed the father to the extent that he asked his sister, Holika, who could not be burned by fire, to sit with the boy in her lap and burn him to death. Prahlad knew about this evil plan, but sat in his aunt’s lap anyway. His faith won, as he remained unscathed by the fire, while his aunt was devoured by the flames. In some small way, Prahlad reminds me of Taiwan
Former Hong Kong media magnate Jimmy Lai (黎智英), who on Monday was sentenced to 20 years in jail for his role in the 2019 Hong Kong democracy movement and “colluding with foreign forces,” once called on members of the US government for support in his struggle against the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Speaking to a forum at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies in July 2019, Lai, speaking about the US having the moral authority over the CCP, said: “It’s like they are going to battle without any weapon, and you have the nuclear weapon. You can finish them in
RSS