ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the case of Taiwan, namely the contested claims over the territory and the ambiguous and multilayered international response. The chapter first explores Taiwan’s historical battle for recognition, looking at the rationales and politics of recognition as well as implications of China’s robust counter-recognition campaign. The chapter shows that in order for Taiwan to survive in the international system it had to democratise and liberalise at home to appeal to other democracies abroad, as well as deploy a nuanced economic diplomacy to sustain its diplomatic relations with other states. As many states have switched the recognition from Taiwan to China, the chapter also examines the geopolitical and economic factors behind the ‘dollar diplomacy’ and the rivalry for international support between both sides of the strait.
