Taiwan - the Testing Ground

In Taiwan's presidential and parliamentary elections on 13 January the ruling DPP party secured the presidency for a third term, with its candidate vowing to safeguard Taiwan from intimidation while emphasising the need for dialogue with Beijing.

At his recent inauguration in June, President Lai Ching-Te urged China to "choose dialogue over confrontation", echoing their self-proclaimed intention of a peaceful rise within the region.

What does Taiwan's survival and success – and its threats - say about governance and plurality in the Chinese and Asian worlds, and about the priorities and capacity of the West including Australia?

This event combines two elements:

1. AIIA Fellow Rowan Callick, vice chair of the Australia Taiwan Business Council, will speak to this topic. He says: "The people of Taiwan haven't sought the role of 'testing ground' – their election in January underlined their understandable domestic priorities – but it has become inescapable. It is vital that Australians understand what's at stake."

2. A report from the group of 15 people from AIIA Victoria who undertook a study tour of Taiwan in April - including its history, culture, tech-savvy economy, and its prospects.

To download the flyer please click here.

AIIA Victoria gratefully acknowledged the Walter Mangold Trust Fund for their support of our young members.