Why size doesn’t matter: The importance of the Pacific Island states to Taiwan’s diplomatic strategy

Abstract

Of the 13 sovereign states that continue to recognise Taiwan over the People’s Republic of China (PRC), four are located in the Pacific, giving the region outsized importance to Taiwan’s international diplomatic strategy. This article examines the ways in which Pacific Island states are able to exercise their power through their influence on Taiwan’s international standing, due to their role in reaffirming Taiwan’s external sovereignty and sustaining its presence on the international stage. This approach emphasises the agency of Pacific Island states in international affairs and challenges the common misconception that Pacific Island states are too small to have a strong influence on global politics. In fact, the article argues that Pacific Island states have been able to leverage their smallness to their advantage, using the issue of diplomatic recognition to create mutually beneficial partnerships with larger states like Taiwan, the PRC, and the United States, and secure a significant role in international affairs.