Relations between Taiwan and Poland are on an upward trajectory. Since Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine, we have witnessed the close cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and Polish institutions aimed at facilitating humanitarian relief efforts for Ukrainian people affected by the war.
Additionally, the recent inauguration of the Taiwan-Poland Inter-Parliamentary Amity Association, led by Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Lin Ching-yi (林靜儀), is an important step toward further institutionalization of relations between Taipei and Warsaw.
Consequently, these recent positive developments provide an opportunity to identify obstacles that still hinder bilateral ties and explore new avenues for Taiwanese-Polish
While the Russia-Ukraine war is dominating media coverage, it is vital that Taiwan, its allies and neighboring nations maintain a laser-like focus on Chinese maneuvers in the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea, as Beijing appears to be exploiting the conflict to test the resolve of Taipei and its allies.
On Friday, China sailed its newest aircraft carrier, the Shandong, through the Strait close to Kinmen County, several hours before US President Joe Biden was due to speak to Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平). The Shandong was shadowed by a US guided-missile destroyer and monitored by Taiwanese warships.
The timing of the
Taiwan has had a packed agenda for the past few months. From recall elections and the four referendums to the upcoming legislative by-election for Taichung’s second electoral district, Taiwanese have been pouring time and energy into politics, which has been laborious.
The voter turnout rate for the Dec. 18 referendum was 41.09 percent, far lower than the about 75 percent for last year’s presidential election. Since the referendum questions were about policymaking, not candidates, it was hardly surprising that it did not garner as much attention and interest.
The referendum questions were proposed by pro-China elements within the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT).