台灣數位外交協會Taiwan Digital Diplomacy Association

Welcome to the 38th edition of Taiwan Digital Diplomacy Digest (TDDD) compiled by the Taiwan Digital Diplomacy Association. In this edition, you will read about the Trump administration’s abrupt shutdown of Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Asia (RFA), the reinstitution of military courts, the Nvidia GTC conference in California, and more publications about Taiwan’s international affairs worth your attention. Subscribe now and stay up-to-date on the latest news about Taiwan that you need to know.

TSMC’s historic $100 billion investment in Arizona adds a new chapter to global semiconductor manufacturing—but what does it mean for Taiwan? This article explores the geopolitical stakes, from shifting U.S. trade policies and Taiwan’s strategic concerns to Japan and Europe’s growing semiconductor ambitions. Is Taiwan’s chip dominance at risk, or is it adapting to a new global order?

On March 6, TDDA President Chia-You Kuo participated in the Women’s Mentorship Night, an inspiring event co-organized by BUREAU FRANCAIS DE TAIPEI, French Chamber Taiwan, and La French Tech Taiwan in celebration of the International Women’s Day. As a panelist in the Women in Politics Roundtable, she joined Legislator Fan Yun, Taipei City Government Councilor Miao Po-ya, and Democratic Progressive Party, Taiwan Gender Equality Director Lee Yen-jong to discuss the challenges women face in politics and share insights on cultivating a greater female leadership. At the roundtable, President Kuo emphasized that women bring invaluable strengths to leadership roles, particularly their ability to navigate cultural differences with emotional intelligence—key traits in #politics, #diplomacy, and #globalaffairs. She encouraged young women aspiring to enter politics to focus on leadership rather than just winning, stressing the importance of long-term vision and resilience in shaping meaningful change. Legislator Fan shared her experiences with #gender-based attacks and her efforts to combat #sexualharassment in politics. She recounted her legal battle against harassment and emphasized the importance of collective action, urging women to support each other in challenging patriarchal norms. She also proposed legislative reforms to increase gender representation, advocating for a one-third gender quota in #government and greater funding for #female politicians. Councilor Miao highlighted the challenges of breaking through gender biases, explaining that while her gender expression shields her from some traditional expectations, it also subjects her to persistent attacks that impact voter perception. Meanwhile, Director Lee encouraged women to embrace #ambition and confidently assert their expertise, stressing that building a strong #professional foundation is key to long-term political success. As an advocate for digital diplomacy, Taiwan Digital Diplomacy Association is committed to empowering #women in #leadership. Events like this reinforce the need for collaboration across sectors to ensure equal opportunities and stronger representation in decision-making spaces. We look forward to more initiatives that support women in politics, diplomacy, and beyond! 📸 Photo credit: BUREAU FRANCAIS DE TAIPEI

Welcome to the 37th edition of Taiwan Digital Diplomacy Digest (TDDD) compiled by Taiwan Digital Diplomacy Association. In this edition, you will read about Taiwan’s role in shaping the future of artificial intelligence, especially in the context of international relations and democracy, Taiwan’s new national strategies in response to the U.S. new tariff regulations, Japan’s recent parliamentary visits to Taiwan, and more publications about Taiwan’s international affairs worth your attention. Subscribe now and stay up-to-date on the latest news about Taiwan that you need to know.

Taiwan is Facing a Constitutional Crisis. Here's What You Need to Know. In the beginning of 2025, the legislature passed a controversial amendment to the Constitutional Court Procedure Act (憲法訴訟法), a move that could potentially threaten Taiwan's democracy. Despite strong protests from the ruling DPP, legislators, and civilians, the KMT and TPP still pushed through the changes. ⚖️ How Taiwan's Constitutional Court Works and What's Changing The Justices of the Constitutional Court are responsible for interpreting Taiwan's Constitution, resolving government disputes, and nullifying unconstitutional laws. The new CCPA amendment raises the threshold for rulings, requiring agreement from 2/3 of the total statutory Justices (that is, 10 out of 15) instead of the number of currently serving Justices. Yet, after the opposition rejected 7 of President Lai Ching-te’s nominees, only 8 Justices remain (7 of which were supported by KMT, and 1 by TPP.) That means, the court is now unable to function. 🔎 Political Motives and Civil Risks The KMT claims the amendment was made to promote ideological diversity, but critics argue it is a deliberate move to block judicial oversight until the opposition can appoint Justices aligned with its interests. This effectively removes a check on the legislature, allowing laws to pass without fear of constitutional review. It is important to note that over 98% of Constitutional Court cases involve individuals seeking protection of their rights. Without a functioning court, unconstitutional laws may go unchallenged, threatening civil liberties. 💥 Public Backlash and Concerns Over Foreign Influence The amendment immediately sparked protests once it was passed, with thousands gathering outside the Legislative Yuan and marching on the streets to object. Concerns about foreign influence have also emerged—the primary legislator behind the bill, Weng Hsiao-ling, has publicly identified as Chinese and expressed alignment with Beijing's territorial claims, despite holding Taiwanese citizenship. While not direct proof of Chinese interference, weakening Taiwan's judiciary serves Beijing's interests by undermining democratic institutions. 🤔 What's Next For Taiwan's Democracy? Taiwan has positioned itself as a model democracy in Asia, but these legislative maneuvers risk damaging its international reputation. Taiwan's democratic allies may question Taiwan's commitment to judicial independence. If unchecked, these changes could erode democratic accountability and public trust in government. In the coming months, Taiwan's democratic resilience will continue to be tested. Public opposition, civil society pressure, and international scrutiny could shape whether these changes are implemented or reversed. The outcome will determine the balance of power in Taiwan for years to come. Taiwan's democracy is at a crossroads—will it uphold its rule of law or allow its institutions to be weakened?

Welcome to the 36th edition of Taiwan Digital Diplomacy Digest (TDDD) compiled by Taiwan Digital Diplomacy Association. In this edition, you will read about the future of Taiwan’s telecommunications security amid an undersea cable damage, the ongoing debates regarding Taiwan’s 2025 governmental budget cuts, Former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence’s visit to Taiwan, and more publications about Taiwan’s international affairs worth reading. Subscribe now and stay up-to-date on the latest news about Taiwan that you need to know.

Happy New Year! We are beyond grateful for your continuous support and generous donations, which have helped us achieve our mission of bringing Taiwan to the international stage in 2024. On top of our most notable accomplishments which you can find in the poster, we invite you to take a look at a detailed review for our 2024 social impact movements: 🎨 Arts & Culture as International Bridges 1️⃣ Our team leader, Chia-You Kuo, joined the “This Is Not an Embassy” stage play. It has toured 10+ cities worldwide, introducing over 10,000 people to Taiwan’s history and political landscape. We produced the documentary “The Ambiguous Border” to preserve this impactful journey. 2️⃣ We celebrated Taiwan's achievement in Olympics breakdancing by collaborating with Taipei City Government’s Department for Youth to host workshops showcasing Taiwan’s vibrant street culture to the world. 3️⃣ Together with Metro Taipei, we hosted a city walk tour to guide international friends through Taipei’s historical evolution. 4️⃣ We partnered with Taiwanese YouTuber Ben’s Adventure to film the “Diplomacy Tour with MOFA Taiwan” project, journeying across Central America and the Caribbean to introduce Taiwan’s foreign projects to the world. 🤝 Public Diplomacy and Talent Development 1️⃣ We conducted immersive youth cultivation programs in partnership with the 新北市政府 New Taipei City Government and Kaohsiung City Government’s Departments for Youth. 2️⃣ We hosted the International Youth Forum in Kaohsiung, attracting 100 participants interested in exploring their unique paths to connect with the world. 🌐 Cyber Defense and Digital Education 1️⃣ Since launching the Cyber Defense Network Project in late 2022, we’ve continued hosting workshops and simulations to help people think about how civilians can respond to cognitive warfare. 2️⃣ Chia-You was just appointed as a member of the Presidential Office’s Whole-Society Defense Resilience Committee. She brought international experts’ recommendations received from her foreign visits back to Taiwan for further discussions on peacetime-to-wartime transitions. 🧳 Global Partnerships with Diplomats and Foreign Organizations 1️⃣ Chia-You visited foreign offices in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Czechia, South Korea, U.S., and Kosovo for discussions on digital resilience, cyber defense, and public diplomacy. 2️⃣ Our team member, Eileen Chu(朱悅寧), went to Prague for a Czech-Taiwan Startup Delegation, connecting with outstanding teams and learning about NATO’s civil defense projects. Each of our cross-border interactions has reaffirmed Taiwan’s limitless potential in public health, agriculture, sustainable energy, and technology, as seen through the eyes of others. At TDDA, our motto is to actively “find partners and build bridges.” As guides, we not only visit, but also bring valuable connections and resources back to Taiwan. These small but significant steps are key to shining a spotlight on Taiwan in the global arena.

Welcome to the 35th edition of Taiwan Digital Diplomacy Digest (TDDD) compiled by Taiwan Digital Diplomacy Association. In this edition, we provide you with insights on the implications of Taiwan’s CPTPP membership accession delay, China’s escalated armed forces pressure, Taiwan’s AI integration across different fields, and more publications about Taiwan’s international affairs that deserve a read. Subscribe now and stay up-to-date on the latest news about Taiwan that you need to know.

Welcome to the 34th edition of Taiwan Digital Diplomacy Digest (TDDD) compiled by Taiwan Digital Diplomacy Association. In this edition, we cover Trump’s return to the White House and its implications for Taiwan, Taiwan’s diplomatic allies support in UNFCCC, Taiwan-US military deal, Taiwan's bilateral talks with Antony Blinken, diplomatic visits to Taiwan over the past two weeks, and some interesting in-depth publications about Taiwan's international affairs. Subscribe now and stay up-to-date on the latest news about Taiwan that you need to know.

🌍 The Future of #Digital Resilience: #Taiwan’s Role on the #GlobalStage Russell Hsiao, Executive Director of the Global Taiwan Institute, Senior Fellow at The Jamestown Foundation, and Adjunct Fellow at #PacificForum, will moderate an expert panel on “Multilateralizing Digital Resilience and the Role of Taiwan.” 📅 December 5, 2024 🕛 12:00 PM (Doors open at 11:30 AM) 📍 GTI Office, Washington, DC This discussion will examine Taiwan’s Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee, lessons from #Ukraine’s digital #defense, and how the U.S. and allies can strengthen global digital #security. 🎙 Featured panelists: - chia-yo kuo, President, Taiwan Digital Diplomacy Association - Adam King, Regional Director, East Asia & Pacific, International Republican Institute - Gulsanna Mamediieva, Tech Policy Expert & Adjunct Professor, Georgetown University - Libby Lange, Director of Intelligence, Special Competitive Studies Project - SCSP 💻 Register here: https://lnkd.in/gm4GbxeM #DigitalResilience #CyberSecurity #IndoPacific