Earlier this month, I went on a Mediterranean cruise organized by a Taiwanese travel agency. The cruise departed from Barcelona, Spain, and made stops in Gibraltar, Marseille and Genoa, before ending in Rome. Each of the southern European countries I visited had their own unique charm.
Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia, an autonomous community in Spain. Having endured centuries of foreign rule, Catalonia has been entangled in constant internal conflicts over independence or unification with Spain — a situation quite similar to that of Taiwan.
Gibraltar, a British Overseas Territory, strategically located between Europe and Africa, has been contested since ancient times. It has a vast network of tunnels carved into rock, reminiscent of Kinmen County’s Taiwu Mountain. A sovereignty dispute with Spain over the island still continues.
While the UK, Spain and Catalonia each have their own disagreements, their democratic systems allow them to employ dialogue in place of armed conflict — demonstrating a civilized dispute without chaos.
The Taiwanese tour group I was a part of was something of a microcosm of Taiwanese society, bringing together members of Taiwan’s four major ethnic groups and spanning multiple generations — from children to adults and elderly people. The tour guide was professional and attentive, and the group members all supported each other. As someone who has lived abroad for a long time, this natural and genuine feeling of harmony brought me great joy and allowed me to witness one of the most touching aspects of Taiwan’s soft power.
When the trip ended and I returned to Taiwan in preparation for my flight back to Japan, I misplaced my luggage. At first, I thought it was gone for good. However, after reporting the issue at an MRT station, my belongings were returned to me in just more than 70 minutes. Compared with the ever-present shadow of pickpockets that hangs over travelers in Europe, the professionalism, efficiency and patience of Taiwan’s public servants lifted my spirits and filled me with indescribable gratitude. This safety and trust is perhaps the most heartfelt display of Taiwan’s soft power.
From the loss and swift recovery of my belongings during my trip, to the kindness and efficiency found throughout Taiwanese society, I have felt deeply the essence of Taiwan’s soft power. This intangible force not only exists in the small details of daily life, but also serves as unshakeable support for Taiwan in the face of international storms.
The challenges Taiwan faces today are not like the civilized disputes seen in Europe, but rather bullying and intimidation by an authoritarian regime. In the complete absence of rational debates, there are displays of brute force and outright coercion. However, Taiwan possesses resilient soft power — rooted in the public’s kindness, societal resilience, institutional transparency and a rich culture — that allows it to remain composed in the face of its oppressor. As ancient wisdom teaches, tyrants do not meet a good end.
As written in Lao Tzu’s (老子) Tao Te Ching (道德經), “It is by compassion that one can be courageous.” Soft power is not akin to weakness, it is compassionate courage — “the highest good is like water.” Today, the foundation of Taiwan’s nationhood is its civilization. In the face of bullying, we prepare for battle, but we do not fear it, thereby preventing war. This is the embodiment of the compassionate courage found in Taiwan’s soft power — a clear example of gentleness overcoming brute strength.
Wang Hui-sheng is chief director of the Kisei Ladies’ and Children’s Hospital in Japan, and a founding member of the East Asian Research Institute.
Translated by Kyra Gustavsen
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