The Exchange between Think Tanks
Taiwanese think tanks play an important role in "Public Diplomacy" and have been broadening the cooperation with their Australian counterparts.
According to "The 2020 Global Go To Think Tank Index Report" produced in January 2021 by the University of Pennsylvania, there are 44 think tanks in Taiwan while there are 45 in Australia.
Taiwan Foundation for Democracy (TFD), Taiwan Institute of Economic Research (TIER), Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research (CIER), Institute for International Relations, National Policy Foundation, Prospect Foundation are rated at 9, 19, 21, 25, 28 and 56 of the "2020 Top Think Tanks in South and Southeast Asia and the Pacific (excluding India)" respectively. Some more Taiwanese think thanks are listed as well, including Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) and World Vegetable Center (WorldVeg) which make great contributions to economic, technological and agricultural development not only in Taiwan but also in the region.
Moreover, Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation (TAEF) established in 2018 and Institute for National Defense and Security Research (Taiwan) established in 2018 are both included in "2020 Best New Think Tanks".
We are looking forward to more cooperation between think tanks to benefit the people in Taiwan and Australia. In the past year, developments surrounding Taiwan have been drawing international attention, underscoring the importance of Taiwan’s status in the context of international strategic dynamics and promoting Taiwan’s presence in the public discussion throughout the region.
The Hon Tony Abbott AC, former Prime Minister of Australia just visited Taiwan and delivered a speech in the 2021 Yushan Forum, hosted by the above-mentioned TAEF, acknowledging Taiwan’s economic performance and calling for the collaboration of all democracies to support Taiwan, including its accession to the CPTPP.
(More information about the Yushan Forum: https://www.yushanforum.org/)
