Taiwan Digital Diplomacy Digest (TDDD) Vol. 15 — March 20, 2024

Welcome to the 15th edition of Taiwan Digital Diplomacy Digest (TDDD) compiled by Taiwan Digital Diplomacy Association.

In this edition learn more about Taiwan’s progress in achieving gender equality, as well as other stories about Taiwan-US, settlement of fishing disputes with Japan, and APPU’s support for Taiwan’s representation at the UN Climate Conference. Scroll down for some recent Taiwan-related in-depth publications that you should add to your reading list.

Subscribe now and stay up to date on the latest news about Taiwan that you need to know.

The Pursuit of Gender Equality in Taiwan

On March 8 Taiwan marked International Women’s Day by celebrating its progress and achievement towards gender equality. To mark the occasion, Taiwanese government officials and the Foundation of Women’s Rights Promotion and Development programmed a week of activities on the sidelines of the ongoing 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women to spotlightwomen’s empowerment and equality.?

The Taiwan Gender Equality Week (TGEW) included two main events, Taiwan Main Stage and Taiwan Cultural Night at the Taiwan Representative Office in New York. As part of the main events, TGEW featured the participation of Hank Huang (黃崇哲), president of the Taiwan Academy of Banking and Finance, who highlighted the achievement of gender equality through financial resilience and inclusion and former U.S. Ambassador Kelley Currie. Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu mentioned that the event served to showcase Taiwan’s achievements in women’s economic empowerment through education and government policies.

Coincidently, on March 8, Taiwan also saw the passage in the Legislative Yuan of three amendments to better protect people experiencing sexual harassment - the Gender Equality in Employment Act, Sexual Harassment Prevention Act and Gender Equity Education Act. However, as CEO of The Garden of Hope Foundation, Wang Tueh-hao, remarked, “while having new amendments is a good start, the new amendments of Sexual Harassment Prevention Act’s definition of sexual harassment still fall short”.

Taiwan at the global forefront of Gender Equality

In 2021, Taiwan placed 7th globally and 1st in Asia in gender equality, according to a 2021 report published by the Department of Gender Equality in Taiwan. These statistics are based on the measurements used by the Gender Equality Index developed by the United Nations Development Programme. Indeed, this ranking shows how Taiwan clearly surpasses neighboring countries in regards to equal opportunities for both women and men. For instance, South Korea has the largest gender pay gap among OECD members, with a 31.1% salary disparity for a full-time position, and only 19.1% of female representation in the South Korean national legislature. Similar numbers can be found in Japan, with its 22.1% of wage gap and 10% of women’s representation in parliament. Meanwhile, in Taiwan, women accounted for 56,3% of local government heads in 2022, 42.5% of lawmakers in the legislature, and had a 14,8% average wage gap in 2020. Another huge step towards gender equality was the election of Tsai Ing-wen as first female President, reaching a milestone that most countries in the world have yet to accomplish.

Tsai's election, along with the significant representation of women in Taiwan’s legislature, position Taiwan as an exceptional case globally and particularly within East Asia on gender equality in government. However, Taiwan's success in integrating women into government roles might mistakenly suggest that gender parity has been fully attained in the country. As many advocates argue, there is much to do when it comes to reaching complete parity. Gender equality can only be fully achieved through the concerted efforts of both men and women by working together to challenge gender norms, address systematic inequalities and advocate for inclusive policies. In this manner, Taiwan can continue its journey towards achieving true parity and ensuring that every individual regardless of gender, has equal opportunities.

Other Top Stories

• On March 4-5, a delegation led by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer was received by Vice President Lai-Ching Te and President Tsai Ing-wen on the occasion of the launch of the Michigan-Taiwan Office. The opening of the Michigan Taiwan Office symbolizes the state’s commitment to expand bilateral partnerships and cooperation with Taiwan.
• As part of Taiwan’s efforts to deepen engagement with African countries, Taiwan has signed a stock market cooperation agreement with diplomatic ally Eswatini. After the opening of Taiwan’s TCX Carbon Exchange for international trading, Eswatini is the first country to sign an agreement of this kind with Taiwan.?
• During its annual meeting, the Asia-Pacific Parliamentarians' Union (APPU) approved a motion to support Taiwan’s efforts to take part in the UN Framework Convention of Climate Change. Notably, APPU announced that its next annual conference will take place in Taiwan.?
• A bipartisan bill introduced in Washington aims to authorize collaboration between NASA and Taiwan's space agency on civilian projects. The Taiwan and America Space Assistance Act of 2024, or "TASA Act," seeks to facilitate cooperation in satellite technology, space exploration, and weather programs. With bipartisan support in both houses of Congress, the TASA Act aims to bolster American-Taiwanese cooperation in space and counter China's influence.
• From March 14-17, Japanese and Taiwanese officials will meet to discuss the latest fishery disputes between Japan and Taiwan. The meeting will take place in Taipei under the Taiwan-Japan Fishery Committee founded in 2013 to resolve fishing-related disputes in their shared Exclusive Economic Zone in the East China Sea.

What We’re Reading

1. Can the United States and Europe coordinate counter-coercion with Taiwan? (Live Event recording)?

This live event organized by Carnegie Endowment for International Peace discusses how the United States and Europe can better understand Beijing’s tactics designed to coerce Taiwan.?

1. ?Understanding Taiwan beyond geopolitics?

The 2024 Taiwanese presidential election underscored Taiwan's political identity. Recognition of its democratic values, cultural richness, and economic significance abroad is vital, urging the West, particularly the United States, to appreciate Taiwan beyond its geopolitical role as a strategic asset.

1. Philippine port expansion would help Taiwan in cross-strait conflict: Experts?

Expansion of ports in the Philippines could strategically serve as a channel to assist U.S. Pacific allies on the occasion of a conflict with China. This “defensive act” represents a preventive move by the U.S. to boost its crisis management abilities.?

1. China, Taiwan and the Vatican Diplomacy?

The Holy See is one of the 12 diplomatic allies of Taiwan, and the only one located in Europe. This article delves into the Vatican’s diplomacy and its formal relations with Taiwan and China.

1. Taiwan’s Surprising Drop in Trade Dependence on Mainland China?

Taiwan's trade dependence on mainland China decreased due to China's economic challenges, prompting the need for production diversification to reduce vulnerability to Beijing's coercion.

Thank you for reading this edition of the Taiwan Digital Diplomacy Digest!