With new leadership, Taiwan and the United Kingdom stand poised to enhance their collaboration to reflect shared values and interests. Both nations are known for their robust democratic systems and innovative spirit, a basis for deepening ties. President Lai Ching-te’s (賴清德) recent congratulatory message to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer highlights the promise of renewed synergy in innovation and prosperity between the two states.
The UK-Taiwan relationship, though unofficial, runs deep and enduring. Forged in the cauldron of post-World War II geopolitics, the UK-Taiwan bond has flourished despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties. Additionally, Britain’s recognition of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) hasn’t dimmed Taiwan’s allure as a democratic model and economic partner in East Asia. Even without official links, London and Taipei have assembled a network of connections in commerce, culture, and scholarly activities.
Informal pathways have enabled meaningful dialogue while sidestepping diplomatic landmines, providing a flexibility that is sometimes lacking in orthodox diplomacy. Through these connections, both parties can discover opportunities and sharpen their perceptions without the shackles of official protocol. As Taiwan suffers increasing isolation owing to Beijing’s growing coercive pressure, alternative strands in engagement are indispensable in giving Taiwan an international voice and allowing other states, like the United Kingdom in a post-Brexit era, to tap into Taiwan’s expertise in technology and economic innovation. As global power structures move, informal channels grow more significant, reiterating that productive diplomacy is not exclusively based on official recognition -but instead on constructing purposeful connections to bind political divides.
UK-Taiwan educational links
Educational exchanges between Taiwan and the United Kingdom epitomize the power of intellectual kinship transcending political boundaries. The UK-Taiwan Higher Education Forum goes beyond research sharing: it is a setting for developing links among British and Taiwanese scholars, nurturing a shared ethos in academic freedom and critical inquiry. For example, joint research on sustainable energy conducted by Imperial College London and National Taiwan University (NTU, 國立臺灣大學), as demonstrated in the 2022 NTU Social Responsibility and Sustainability Report, exhibits a mutual commitment to tackling global crises, proving that informal ties provide benefits to society.
In cultural diplomacy, as Taiwanese students immerse themselves in British literature at Oxford, or their UK counterparts probe Taiwan’s indigenous languages at National Chengchi University (國立政治大學), they become cultural connectors. During these exchanges, preconceptions made by each group are contested, which encourages an insightful understanding that official diplomatic channels often fail to accomplish. As a result, academic ties are effective soft power instruments. While participation in UK-based conferences on democratic governance reinforces Taiwan’s image as a beacon of democracy in Asia, British involvement in Taiwan’s technology sector through research collaborations simultaneously boosts the United Kingdom’s standing as an innovation hub.
Academic partnerships in the United Kingdom and Taiwan derive from the post-World War II epoch, when Taiwan’s quest for modernization intersected with Britain’s educational influence. Dr. Li Kwoh-ting (李國鼎), a former minister of economic affairs, previously studied in the United Kingdom. Recognizing the potential of British expertise in Taiwan’s development, Dr Li initiated discussions that led to the first wave of Taiwanese students pursuing advanced degrees in British universities.
The 1970s witnessed a surge in language programs, with the University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) pioneering Mandarin Chinese studies. The 1990s exemplified a transition towards institutionalized cooperation. The first memorandum of understanding (MOU) by the University of Oxford and NTU set a precedent for formal academic alliances. This decade also celebrated the introduction of Chevening Scholarships in Taiwan, funded by the UK government.
Thanks to prestigious universities and opportunities to explore Europe from a base in the United Kingdom, the United Kingdom is a top choice for Taiwanese students. In the 2022/23 academic year, 3,685 Taiwanese students were enrolled in UK universities, making the United Kingdom the top European destination (and fourth most popular choice worldwide) for students from Taiwan. The United Kingdom’s strong educational reputation and opportunities for Taiwanese students to work there following graduation – such as through the Youth Mobility Scheme – have encouraged this growing appeal.
Technological advancements in the new millennium have reshaped academia. During this period, a marked focus on sustainable development and digital innovation has emerged. For instance, the Taiwan-UK Research Network began using digital platforms for real-time interactions among researchers. In 2021, the British Council and Taiwan’s Ministry of Education (MOE, 教育部) signed a landmark agreement promoting educational exchanges, leading to a significant increase in student mobility. The establishment of the Taiwan-UK Innovative Industries Programme in 2017 also marked a progression towards targeted, industry-aligned research.
This was further exemplified by the 2018 launch of the Taiwan Studies Programme at the University of Nottingham, which delivered a wide-ranging approach to studying Taiwan’s society, politics, and culture. The Oxford Taiwan Studies Programme is dedicated to examining Taiwan’s culture, politics, and society through engaging lectures, panels, and discussions. Past events have tackled subjects like Taiwanese identity, nationalism, and the evolving nature of citizenship, providing fresh perspectives on Taiwan’s place in the world. Open to scholars and the wider public alike, the program invites all who are interested in Taiwan’s unique challenges and contributions on the global stage.
The philosophical undertones of such programs are extensive, as we are prompted to reconsider the nature of world relations in an interdependent world. Do not common values and intellectual endeavours constitute a form of de facto recognition, even more substantive than formal diplomatic ties? Furthermore, these connections embody Isaiah Berlin’s concept of value pluralism. Academic exchanges and collaborations offer a unique opportunity for scholars to engage with diverse cultural and political perspectives, enriching their intellectual growth and challenging the notion that there is only one valid approach to understanding global issues.
Fresh progress
The University of Liverpool’s participation in the Taiwan-UK University Consortium demonstrates the transformative potential of academic exchanges. The first of its kind, this venture unites eight leading higher education institutions from Taiwan and the United Kingdom under the auspices of the British Council and Taiwan’s MOE. In addition to fostering scholarly cooperation, all parties at the consortium address pressing international challenges in green energy and sustainability, and advance innovative educational methodologies -particularly in support of Taiwan’s “Bilingual 2030 Policy.”
This illustrates how academic collaboration acts as a catalyst for global change, where assorted perspectives and expertise converge to engineer solutions that no single institution or nation could achieve alone. Global challenges require global solutions, and collaborative UK-Taiwan successes highlight the value of universities as learning centers and indispensable actors in the quest for a sustainable, equitable world. One drawback of Brexit was the United Kingdom’s exit from the Erasmus Scheme, a key European educational mobility program.
However, the new Turing Scheme has emerged to offer funding for international educational opportunities. Among the early beneficiaries of the scheme, 28 students from the University of Bristol studied at National Sun Yat-sen University (中山大學), which was chosen as a top destination for learning Chinese.
Conundrums and solutions
Challenges loom, primarily around funding and budget constraints that may lead to cutbacks or limitations impeding growth. Political pressures, especially from the PRC, pose significant challenges and can create a diplomatically sensitive environment that deters UK institutions from deepening ties with Taiwan. Chinese students represent a significant portion of the United Kingdom’s international student body, and one major concern is the over reliance of UK universities on tuition fees from Chinese students.
Financial dependencies make institutions wary of augmenting affiliations with Taiwan for fear of reprisal from the PRC, through reduced student enrolments, funding threats, or diplomatic backlash. The PRC has previously used its economic power and student leverage to pressure foreign institutions, including threats to restrict student visas. The reliance on Chinese students presents a dilemma: expanding ties with Taiwan could strengthen relations but risks losing significant funding if the PRC retaliates. As a result, universities face limitations that hinder their ability to fully explore affiliations with Taiwan, thereby impacting innovation and knowledge exchange.
However, one should remain optimistic. There are substantial opportunities for growth in UK-Taiwan academic relations, encompassing fields like artificial intelligence and digital transformation. In addition to addressing global challenges, these fields are likely to attract interest from both academic and governmental stakeholders. Boosting student and faculty mobility through additional scholarships and exchange programs would enhance academic relations and integration. Moreover, virtual exchange programs offer a promising solution to overcome travel restrictions and enhance engagement in a cost-effective manner.
As the new Labour Party government under Prime Minister Keir Starmer charts the course for a global Britain, the United Kingdom stands at a crossroads, a moment with a unique opportunity to redefine and augment informal relations – both for the purpose of economic benefit, and as a testament to the value of academia in the globalized world. Furthermore, Taiwan should note the Labour Party’s enthusiasm for expanding bilateral relations: during an April 2024 meeting with former President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), Labour peer Lord Leong suggested his delegation could return as government officials to boost commercial, educational, and cultural ties. With Labour’s recent victory, it will be interesting to see whether the party fulfils its commitments.
The United Kingdom and Taiwan, both islands on the edges of their continents, have historically punched above their weight in soft power. In both cases, their cultural and educational influence surpasses their geographic size. British and Taiwanese institutions are world-class, producing top-tier talent. Instead of competing for dominance, collaboration offers greater potential, allowing scholars to pool resources, share knowledge, and address global issues more effectively. Academics should promote policies supporting and incentivizing cross-border networking. Scholarly output should be seen as a mutually beneficial endeavor, not a zero-sum game.
The main point: By strengthening bilateral ties, the UK can position itself as a gateway for Taiwan to develop closer links with Europe. UK universities can act as hubs for ideas and innovation, attracting talent and hosting conferences benefitting both nations and the global community – while scholars and students can unlock the full potential of UK-Taiwan relations beyond formal politics, extending connections beyond lecture halls and laboratories.
