Political and Economic Analysis of Southeast Asian Regional Economic Integration Under China’s Rise-From Taiwan’s Perspective View

摘要

This article seeks to answer why Taiwan has targeted Southeast Asia in its external economic strategy,and how the China factor has influenced the development of Taiwan-ASEAN economic relations.Worried about the political and economic risks inherent in Taiwan’s growing economic dependence on China,as well as Taiwan’s marginalization in regional economic integration,Taiwanese presidents since Lee have all emphasized the need to enhance trade and investment ties with Association of Southeast Asian Nations(ASEAN)countries.While the complementary natures of Taiwan’s and Southeast Asia’s economies place Taiwan in a favorable position to“Go South”,sovereign disputes in cross-Strait relations prevent the island from negotiating bilateral or multilateral trade agreements with ASEAN countries.The article argues that hedging is the most rational and viable option for Taiwan to manage political and economic analysis of Southeast Asian regional economic integration and under China’s rise.The article examines the four major components of this strategy,namely,economic pragmatism,direct engagement,hard balancing,and soft balancing.The article goes on to assess the significance of each component and details how Taiwan has pursued its hedging strategy towards Southeast Asian regional economic integration.