Nikkei Asia on May 8 published a feature report titled “US, UK, Japan diplomatic contingents in Taiwan are bigger than ever,” revealing that democratic countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan have significantly increased their diplomatic personnel in Taiwan in recent years. The report highlights Taiwan’s rising importance in international strategic planning. It also cites commentary from Jeremy Chih-Cheng Chang, CEO of the Research Institute for Democracy, Society, and Emerging Technology (DSET), and Andrew Yeh, Executive Director of the UK-based think tank China Strategic Risks Institute (CSRI) and former visiting scholar at DSET. Both experts discussed how various countries are deepening cooperation with Taiwan on technology and national security issues through their representative offices, as well as the evolving trajectory of UK–Taiwan relations.
Jeremy noted that many foreign offices in Taiwan now regularly collaborate with DSET on research projects related to semiconductors, AI, energy security, and drones. These offices also actively facilitate academic exchanges and cross-border research matchmaking. He shared: “A visiting ambassador once came to DSET and, one by one, pulled out profiles of five scholars from their country. The ambassador said, ‘Based on our survey of your think tank’s work, these individual researchers align well with your specific projects,” and actively sought to initiate joint research. According to Chang, this shows the “seriousness” with which countries are engaging in Taiwan-related research
Andrew Yeh stated that it makes sense for the UK and its allies to expand their diplomatic resources in Taiwan. In light of growing security threats from Russia in Europe, he believes the UK can draw valuable lessons from Taiwan’s experience in countering China’s gray-zone and hybrid tactics. He stressed that Taiwan’s role in the global democratic coalition goes beyond economics, serving as a “global public good” essential to maintaining peace and an open order in the Indo-Pacific region.
According to the report, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) now employs more than 550 personnel. Excluding locally hired staff, the number of U.S. diplomatic staff in Taiwan increased from approximately 80 in 2022 to over 110 in 2024. The Japan–Taiwan Exchange Association has expanded to about 100 staff, while the UK’s office in Taipei has grown by over 40% since 2021. Germany is set to increase its staff this summer, and Sweden plans to appoint a deputy representative to its Taipei office in August.
Nikkei Asia also reported that in 2022, the Australian government established a new “Director of Strategic Affairs” position in Taipei, effectively serving as a military attache, signaling increased focus on security cooperation.
The report also notes that the Australian government established a “Director of Strategic Affairs” position in its Taiwan office in 2022—effectively a military attaché, signaling a strengthening of bilateral security cooperation. Germany and the Czech Republic have also added personnel focused on political and cultural affairs, further enhancing collaboration with Taiwan on science, technology, and public diplomacy.