TAIWAN EFFORT TO ENHANCE REGIONAL INTEGRATION WITH ASEAN THROUGH THE NEW SOUTHBOUND POLICY UNDER TSAI ING WEN ADMINISTRATION

Abstract

The New Southbound Policy aims to build comprehensive cooperation with South Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand through collaboration and exchange, considered President Tsai Ing Wen’s grand strategy in order to position Taiwan on opportunities from various business and social partnerships. Therefore, this research will discuss how the New Southbound Policy as Taiwan’s foreign policy can lead Taiwan to fulfill its national interests, particularly economic development since mainland China does not spare Taiwan’s economy. The theory will be used to understand the implementation of Neo-functionalism with the concept of regional integration. Through this perspective, this research will analyze the development of Taiwan’s regional integration with ASEAN, which is in line with Taiwan’s national interest that can improve the economic situation.