Taiwan has been a member of the UNPO since 1991. 

Taiwan is a de facto state in East Asia, located approximately 120 kilometers off the southeastern coast of mainland China, across the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan is a state with limited recognition. While it engages in diplomatic relations with other countries and has its own government and constitution, it is not formally recognised as a nation state and therefore lacks international representation in forums like the United Nations (UN). The primary obstacle to Taiwan’s recognition as a nation state and representation at international forums is the ongoing pressure and diplomatic isolation imposed by the People’s Republic of China (PRC), which claims Taiwan as part of its territory and restricts its participation in international organizations and forums like the UN. 

Taiwan’s distinct political history, including its evolution into a multi-party democracy as well as unique political and cultural identity, make it a distinct nation and peoples. The island’s population includes the island’s first aboriginal inhabitants that compromise 16 recognised indigenous peoples with their own traditions and languages, as well as descendants of Chinese immigrants with their own local customs. 

The UNPO secretariat works for the rights of the people of Taiwan as a whole and might work with different civil society organizations, groups and representatives from Taiwan. However, the main organization representing the rights of people of Taiwan within the UNPO membership and with voting rights at the General Assembly is the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy. You can read more about the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy here.

Taiwan’s population of over 23 million is predominantly Han Chinese, including Hoklo, Hakka, and those who fled to Taiwan with the Nationalist Party (Kuomintang) after the Chinese Civil War in 1949. These groups are descendants of successive waves of Chinese immigrants that began arriving in the 17th century. In addition to the Han majority, Taiwan is home to 16 recognized indigenous Malayo-Polynesian groups, such as the Amis, Atayal, Paiwan, and Tsou, who have distinct languages, cultures, and traditions that predate Chinese settlement on the island.

Mandarin, Taiwanese Hokkien and Hakka are the major languages spoken in present-day Taiwan. Besides these, there are approximately 26 Formosan languages, comprising the languages of the indigenous peoples of Taiwan, all of which are Austronesian. However, due to centuries of language shift, including policies during the martial law era that suppressed languages other than Mandarin, the usage of ‘local’ languages has steadily decreased. Nonetheless, since 2000 governments of Taiwan have made efforts to revitalise local languages.

Reflecting this diversity, Taiwan’s culture is a blend of Han Chinese and indigenous Taiwanese traditions, with influence also stemming from the Japanese colonial period. The prevalent form of religious belief in Taiwan is a blend of Buddhism, Taoism, and Chinese folk religion, including Chinese ancestral worship, Mazu worship, Wang Ye worship and Zhai Jiao Traditions. Buddhist-Taoist religious belief makes up approximately 93%, while around 4.5% are Christian.

The island was originally inhabited by indigenous peoples before Han Chinese settlers arrived in the 17th century, during the Ming and Qing dynasties. The Dutch briefly colonized Taiwan in the 17th century, followed by the Spanish, before it came under Qing rule in 1683. During this period, Taiwan experienced significant migration from mainland China and saw the development of agriculture and trade.

In 1895, Taiwan was ceded to Japan after the First Sino-Japanese War, marking a period of Japanese colonial rule that lasted until 1945. After World War II, Taiwan was placed under Chinese Nationalist (Kuomintang or KMT) control. Following defeat against the Chinese Communist party (CCP) in the Chinese Civil War, the Kuomintang retreated to Taiwan in 1949, and governed Taiwan separately from the People’s Republic of China (PRC). 

From 1949, Taiwan endured 38 years under a military rule (martial law era), headed by Chiang Kai-shek and his son. Starting from 1987, Taiwan’s political system began to liberalize and enter a democratization process with the formation of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in 1986 as the first genuine opposition party. Among other issues, the party advanced the right of self-determination for the people of Taiwan, thus resurfacing the issue of the political status of Taiwan, a previously taboo question. Despite the severe pressure and military threats from the PRC, the Taiwanese government held their first direct presidential election in 1996, and have since developed into a highly democratic and economically advanced society.

Taiwan’s primary concern remains its complex and tense relationship with the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Despite Taiwan never having been governed by the PRC and the PRC lacking jurisdiction over the island, the PRC considers Taiwan a part of its territory.

The PRC employs various forms of pressure and intimidation against Taiwan, including frequent military drills, incursions into Taiwan’s airspace, and exercises simulating attacks on the island. Additionally, the PRC has enacted laws and policies designed to threaten those who support Taiwan’s independence. The Anti-Secession Law (2005) grants China the right to use force against any efforts toward Taiwan’s independence. Recent policy guidelines published by the PRC in 2024 specify that crimes of secession by Taiwanese “separatists” are punishable under Chinese law. These guidelines authorize trials in absentia and even the death penalty for anyone advocating for Taiwan’s independence. In recent years, several Taiwanese citizens have been forcibly disappeared or arrested on political charges by the PRC.

As a consequence of this tension, Taiwan’s international diplomacy is significantly impacted. The PRC pressures other countries to refrain from recognizing Taiwan as a sovereign state, limiting Taiwan’s ability to participate fully in global organizations and engage in international diplomacy. Taiwan seeks inclusion in international forums such as the World Health Organization and ultimate membership in the United Nations. However, its exclusion from these organizations, coupled with the ongoing threat from China, places Taiwan in a precarious position internationally, impeding the Taiwanese people from fully enjoying their prosperity and human rights. Respecting Taiwan’s right to self-determination aligns with global democratic principles, affirming the right of people to choose their political status and governance, which strengthens international norms for democracy and human rights.