Experts urge Taiwan to invest in nations besides China

This article was written by Shih Ying-ying and published by the Taiwan Journal on December 16, 2005. It features a recent symposium on China's rise and the future of the Asia-Pacific region, which was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Asia Foundation in Taiwan.

The symposium aimed at understanding how China's rise in a regional importance has shaped the economic, political, social and security landscape of the Asia Pacific region, and how Taiwan should position itself among these changes. Various experts gave their advice at three sessions that focused on the social and political impact of China's rise.

Some of these experts suggested that Beijing is "immensely concerned with its domestic problems", which means that outside players may exercise their economic leverage over the country to bring about positive social change.

Meanwhile, these experts also suggested that Taiwan should invest not only in China, but also in its other neighbors. There is deep concern about the possibility of further marginalization in the Asia-Pacific region due to Taiwan's growing economic dependence on China.