Taiwan`s ‘people-centered’ New Southbound Policy and its impact on US–Taiwan relations

Abstract

Taiwan`s relations with South and Southeast Asia have become the focus of scholarly discussion since it proposed the New Southbound Policy (NSP) in 2016. Few touch on the NSP`s effect on Taiwan`s relations with countries outside the NSP targets. This paper argues that the NSP has a positive effect on US–Taiwan relations. The people-centered approach of the NSP helps the Taiwanese government create a credible commitment to a moderate foreign policy. It signals Taiwan`s resolve to uphold the US interests in Taiwan Strait. Taiwan`s policy direction has received the US`s approval, resulting in cordial US–Taiwan relations. The public supports from the US have strengthened Taiwan`s confidence under tense cross-Strait relations. Recently, the US’s Indo-Pacific strategy provides Taiwan an opportunity to establish a closer tie with the US. But the prospect of bilateral cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region depends on a clear proposal.