OPENING: Taiwan (ROC) has little problem establishing unofficial ties with countries around the world, but it encounters obstacles when attempting to formalize diplomatic relations, due to China’s concerted efforts to prevent such developments. China (PRC) sees itself as the sole representative of China and does not allow states to have official diplomatic relations with both the PRC and the ROC. The One China principle is a major Chinese foreign relations objective – an exception from the usual no-strings-attached policy of China.

OPENING: The year 2019 marked a critical shift in the relations of the European Union (EU) with the People’s Republic of China (PRC): in its blueprint for a new China strategy the EU presents China in a much more critical light than in previous strategy papers. While China is regarded as a partner with whom a balance of interests needs to be found and economic competitor, it is also—for the first time ever—viewed as “a systemic rival promoting alternative models of governance” (European Commission and High Representative 2019: 1).

OPENING: January 13th was a celebration of democracy in Taiwan. The small island country, which emerged in the 1990s from authoritarian rule (having experienced one of the longest periods of martial law in the world), held joint presidential and parliamentary elections. The current ruling party maintained the presidency; however, the new president will face a hung parliament (none of the parties won a majority). Although the results do not come as a huge surprise – they are in line with the trend captured in opinion polls in the weeks preceding the elections – the race was intense, and the outcome was until the last minute uncertain.

OPENING: From afar, Japan is often perceived as a homogenous nation with little ethnic diversity. This perception is further perpetuated and endorsed by the Japanese government. However, throughout history, Japan has been home to various ethnic groups, including the Ryūkyūan and Ainu. According to the 2020 census conducted by the Statistics Bureau of Japan, the population comprises 97.8% Japanese and 2.2% foreigners. However, the census categorizes individuals based on citizenship rather than ethnicity. Consequently, individuals of mixed heritage or naturalized citizens are still recorded as Japanese. This tendency is further emphasized among ethnic minorities such as the Ainu, who may decide to conceal their heritage, even from their children, due to past discrimination.