In the past two years, Taiwan has experienced a change that has not previously been seen for 30 years. No one could have predicted that the friction between the US and China could have been exacerbated to this degree. Additionally, no one could have imagined that continued political, economic, and geopolitical black swan events would consistently occur around the world. The attention that Taiwan has also received in these past two years is also higher than it has ever been.

The capital of Taiwan, Taipei, is undergoing a transformation from pure city management to looking towards global diplomatic relations, similar to when former Japan Prime Minister Abe was in office. However, this time, Taiwan can instead start with its capital city to connect with the international structure of cities of the world.

A capital city represents a country’s form and spirit. Due to Taiwan’s locked diplomatic state caused by Chinese influence over the years, the capital city mayor possesses more ability and charisma as an official democratically elected by the people. The Mayor can attend meetings and occasions that the President cannot attend. Areas the Defense Minister cannot visit, the Mayor is able to.

Heads of government from many countries in their strides towards the peaks of their political careers have held the Mayoral office of capital cities or important cities. The connections and experience they have collected in their times in city government diplomacy has allowed cities to reflect the country’s soft power on the global stage.

Information dissemination about Taiwan has too often been confined within the model of the Chinese narrative. Taiwan’s existence is a fact, and the beauty of Taiwan must be expressed on different levels. Taiwan’s existence shouldn’t be defined through the lens of China. 

However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ primary responsibility is to respect the necessary diplomatic protocols to establish the country’s value and stance. Thus, the Taiwanese government takes great time and effort in finely crafting its public expression, which inevitably leads to inflexibility. 

It is under these circumstances that the capital city is able to act outside of the country’s box of diplomacy. It can take on a portion of the responsibilities and challenges of foreign relations, exchanges on the city’s public policy, civic diplomacy representing the city’s residents, and representation of NGO citizen groups most characteristic of liberal democracies. 

These are all goals and efforts that capital diplomacy is able to undertake. On one hand, they face the challenges of the CCP. On the other hand, they can communicate with the “people” of China rather than simply accepting official unitary propaganda.

Under a non-peaceful state of emergency, the city's resolute spirit has also been on display in the face of Russian aggression in the Ukrainian war. Every city and mayor in Ukraine, especially headed by the mayor of the capital city Kyiv, continuously spoke to the world, and the world gave a corresponding response. In addition to President Zelensky, the mayor of Kyiv, Vitaly Vladimirovich Klitschko (former boxer), is also an important representative of the country's image.

This is a platform for leader training. Capital city mayors can utilize this platform to win global respect with the charm of the city.

In the upcoming Taipei City mayoral election, the importance of the city and its global role are definitely directions the ruling party should work towards. The ruling party can articulate a larger picture within the capital city, share its efforts in public health challenges with the world, and build on its successful diplomacy in recent years. Under fair and open competition, all candidates can express a noble and virtuous demeanor.

Former Japanese Prime Minister Abe's vision for diplomacy throughout the globe, coupled with his personal charm, has greatly increased Japan's global influence. The future mayor of Taipei can lead Taiwan to bid farewell to a city of sorrow; not guided by emotions, but striving towards the future and towards an important platform full of hope. This time, it is not necessarily a battle of subtraction but rather a battle of narrative ideas.

(This piece reflects the author's opinion, and does not represent the opinion of CommonWealth Magazine.)

About the Author

Kuan-Ting Chen (陳冠廷) is the Chief Executive Officer at Taiwan NextGen Foundation, a Taipei and Chiayi-based think tank. 

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